picture book in travel town

Travel Town Beginner’s Guide: Tips, Tricks & Strategies to Complete More Levels and Rebuild the Entire City

By: Author Barbara Craig

Posted on Last updated: April 6, 2022

Travel Town is a match and merge puzzle game developed by Magmatic Games, and it’s currently available on iOS and Android platforms. On top of the beautiful sharp graphics and matching sounds, Travel Town comes with an addictive gameplay, that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.

To get you started on the right foot, we have put together a comprehensive Travel Town beginner’s guide . We will start this guide with explaining the basic mechanics and continue with effective strategies to advance quickly in the game, rebuild the city and help your neighbours. Of course, without forgetting to enjoy the thrill of finding new and better objects as you go merging.

Travel Town is visually similar and has the same mechanics as Merge Mansion , a game that we have covered before here at Level Winner. So if you had the pleasure of playing that game, then you probably won’t have any major problems going through Travel Town.

The game takes place in Travel Town, a beautiful seaside that was ravaged away by a storm. Your main objective is to restore it and help your neighbours who were left with nothing. Meanwhile, you discover new objects. The mechanics of the game consists of mixing matching objects to get better and better objects. You can sell these objects to your neighbours who in exchange will give you smileys among other rewards. Smileys are the in-game currencies in Travel Town, and you will use them to rebuild the town. To start to play you need to use energy. At the beginning you have 100 units of energy in the form of lightning and you must use it wisely to advance levels. But be careful, in between you must pay attention to how you organize yourself. Here I will share with you several tips and strategies to be able to advance quickly in Travel Town.

1. Starting From Scratch And Cleaning Your Place

At first, you will start with little free space to merge. Not only that, but you will also find spaces blocked by objects covered in sand. Do not worry that this is momentary and here you will see how to proceed to optimize your space.

These grey objects that you find buried in the sand have to be removed with a matching item. To do this you must take objects out of the bucket and mix until you get the one you are looking for.

Now you may ask: How do I know what I need to mix to get what I’m looking for? Well, at first you will not have major difficulties. Keep looking, you’re on the right track. Once you achieve to unlock the space you will have a little bit more room and be more comfortable.

Pay attention not to miss the opportunity to unlock a space if you have the same item. As you advance in level, more spaces will be freed up to work and you will be able to have a greater variety of objects. You will also be able to see stars with numbers drawn on the sand, these numbers indicate at what level that space is unlocked. But you may have to dig up some grey object from that new place. When the neighbours see what you achieve on the beach, they will add you to the chat group.

There you can keep up-to-date with everything they would like to improve about the city, as well as read pretty funny things apart from the fact that they don’t stop talking in that group.

2. Stay Organized And Save Space

Maintaining order in Travel Town can be crucial and makes the difference between an average player and a pro player. Maintaining order in the first levels is not something very difficult to achieve, since you will only have a couple of objects on the playground. But what happens as you go forward? As you advance in the game you will have a greater variety of objects at your disposal.

Not only that, but you will also have to achieve more complex objects and you will have the board with half-jobs distributed everywhere. So how can you improve this situation?

A good option is to organize them by type , this way you will have more ease when searching for a particular object. For example, you can group the objects that come out of the bucket in one corner, the objects that come out of the picnic basket in another corner, and so on. You can also save space by gathering all the same items , so you will have more free places.

Another option is to keep rare items, that you are not going to use for the time being, in the inventory. What happens if you follow the previous steps and still fill the sandbox with things? Can’t you keep mixing? Okay, do not worry! In this case, you have two options, one is to sell the objects in exchange for smileys, touching the object you want to sell and then below the currency symbol you can make the sale in exchange for smileys.

Some lower-tier items you will not be able to sell but if you need the space urgently you can remove them. You select the object first and then down in the garbage can. Throwing out the items does not benefit you since the sale value is not as good as the value for which the neighbours pay, but it’s still something. That’s why you have to try not to get to this point.

The inventory will also be enabled, where you can initially store up to 7 objects. You can unlock more slots in exchange for diamonds.

3. Keep Your Neighbours Happy And Successfully Deliver Orders

The neighbours seem to love the items you manage to get from the sand. That’s why they will be constantly requesting new items. Before starting to create an order object, you should review all the orders you have.

This way, you avoid making a very complicated request when you have an object that’s almost ready on your board. Sometimes the commands are very simple, but other times they are a bit more difficult. There may be unique objects , which you will have to find out where or how to get them. It may also be that you order 2 or 3 objects together.

And you have to get them all, they don’t take half orders. This may seem difficult, but as the game progresses you will become a master at delivering double or triple commands. I recommend that you try to start with the most difficult of the 2 items. When you get this object it will turn green, this way it is very easy to identify them and you will know that you have to deliver it.

An ideal scenario is that you group the objects in green in some sectors of the board where you do not move the items much. This is so that you don’t keep mixing it with the same item and you lose the needed level. So you will leave it waiting until you get the others.

Why shouldn’t you overdo the level? If you build higher-level objects, you will spend more energy and later you will not be able to sell them and they will take up space. Also, you will have to start from scratch to build it again and deliver it, since you cannot go back. For example: if a neighbour asks you for a Nautilus shell but you continue mixing until you reach a starfish, then you will not be able to go back and you will have to wait for someone to ask you for that object.

Another thing that can happen is that you see some requests in grey: when you see this, if you try to open it, it will tell you that you have to go up to the next level to be able to take that order. So first you must level up completing other orders and then you will see what the order is about.

4. Start Little By Little To Buy Buildings And Reform Them

As we mentioned before, smileys are the in-game currencies. You can spend smileys on keys, so you can rebuild the buildings of Travel Town. You have several options to get smileys:

Fulfilling the requests of the neighbours: You will constantly have orders to deliver. Although, some objects will not give you many smileys in return. Some neighbours are willing to pay fortunes for rare objects. But yes, you have to know how to find them.

Mixing certain objects: There are some objects such as photos or jewels that, when merged, may reward you smileys. You’ll notice because they will fly on the board, so don’t forget to collect them!

Buying smileys in the store: Some days there are available smileys in the store for purchase. It’s a lazy option and you must pay with diamonds in exchange if you do not want to merge.

Selling objects: Another good option is to sell some items that you have left and that you think you will not need. Once you sell an item, you will see how many smileys you got for that item in return.

Hmm… did you regret selling it? After the sale, you can recover the item by going down where it says undo selling and select the circular arrow. But be careful, once you select something else on the screen, the option to have the object returned to you will disappear.

Opening chests: The majority of the chests have smileys as a reward, and you will be able to get many out of them. But of course, getting chests is not easy. You will have to fulfil orders, level up or rebuild buildings to get them. Once you get the necessary resources you can start upgrading the city. Keep in mind that in this case, you are going to need a pile of wood planks as well as smileys. Later in this guide, we will explain how to get the materials.

5. Squeeze The Juice Out Of Your Resources

The items that allow you to advance in the game faster are the following 3. Don’t forget to take care of your resources because they are the key to success in Travel Town.

Smileys: You need to get the maximum number of smileys to be able to pay for the key to the land that you are acquiring and also for the restorations. Doing this will give you experience points and you will advance in level.

That’s why every time a face item appears on the board, it is recommended not to sell it immediately and keep them in the inventory to mix them and reach the maximum level. This way, you can obtain greater benefits than selling them one by one.

For example: If you only have one smiley and you sell it, they will give you 1 in exchange, but if you have 2, they will give you 3, if you have 4 they will give you 7, if you mix 8 they will give you 15, and if you reach the maximum level of the item (level 5) which is 16 will give you 32 smileys. This is a lot of difference to make if you are patient and wait until you have the maximum level before selling it.

Energies: the energies will allow you to continue loading objects on the board, they renew themselves from time to time, but, indeed, they are also spent quickly when you need to deliver an object. That’s why every time an energy item appears, like the smileys, it is recommended to keep them in the inventory to mix them and reach the maximum level. This way you can get more benefit from it, for an energy item at the maximum level, you will get 100 units of energy.

A tip to get more energy is to take a good look at the sign that appears when you run out, since sometimes to the right of the option to pay with diamonds it gives you the option to see a commercial in exchange for 25 energy.

And because they are short commercials, I think it’s worth watching the commercial instead of spending diamonds on energy.

Diamonds: Diamonds are definitely the most precious and that’s why you have to avoid wasting them. In Travel Town, you can use it for almost everything. For example, you can skip the waiting time of some items with diamonds, but is it worth it? Perhaps, you can be patient with the wait and use the diamonds to exchange them for space in the inventory or get energy at good prices.

Check the offers daily, there are days that for a few diamonds you can get energy packages or chests. And just like energies and smileys, diamonds can be pooled together to make the most profit from selling them. Don’t forget that every time you discover a new item, it will appear in the collection book as a gift.

You must open it and inside it, you will find a diamond. So every day at the end of playing you can go to the book to continue completing the collections.

6. Permanent Objects

Permanent objects are those from which you can obtain objects in exchange for energy. These objects cannot be sold and you can take them to their maximum level. The higher its level, the better objects you will obtain from it. Keep in mind that of the objects that you can get from inside in exchange for energy, you will not be able to select them since it will give you a random object. Permanent items have a cooldown time that depends on the item.

As much as you have energy, you will not be able to remove objects infinitely. When the inside is finished, a clock will appear indicating how long you must wait until you can get objects again. There are times when you will be lucky and it will give you some higher-level item. Here are some permanent items that you will find in the first levels: Beach Bucket: This is the first permanent item that you get in the game. It is formed from buckets and you can take it to the maximum level, which is 9. From here you can obtain pebbles, stones, sandcastles and seashells, among others. When it is at its maximum level you will be able to obtain the mysterious letter from here but to be honest it will not be easy to obtain one.

With the objects that come out of the bucket, you can complete the Shells and the Sand Castles book collection. Picnic Basket: This basket, like the bucket, is one of the first permanent items that you obtain and that requires energy to deliver objects.

From here you can obtain spoons, olives among others. And you will be able to complete the Picnic Food series and the Cutlery Tools series. Jewellery display: When you take the jewellery display to level 4 you will have a jewellery box. It is a permanent item which means that it will remain on the board forever, not only will you be able to create beautiful jewels with what is inside it but it also has a particularity.

It is that this jewellery box does not use energy to generate objects! Which means that you will have endless items? Well, yes and no, because if it has a cooldown time. You can place the jewellery box in the middle of the board and you can see how the objects jump out.

In case you have a full workspace, I recommend that you keep the jewellery box surrounded by items. This way, neither of the will pop from inside, occupying the place you need on the board.

Once they stop coming out, you will have to wait for the recharge time to expire. If you need to make a jewel and you don’t want to wait for the recharge time, you can also use diamonds to skip the time. A trick for when they give you a reward jewellery box and you have one on the board: first you empty the one you have on the board until the clock mark appears indicating that you have to wait.

Next step, you lower the new jewel box to the board and empty it too. Once the 2 are with the cooldown clock, you merge them. This will not only give you a higher tier jewel box but also resets the time so you can empty it for the third time. 

7. Reward Items

Crates: Crates have 5 levels. Inside the crates, you can get smileys or  diamonds. When you get one, either for a level-up reward or for having completed a level. You can open it or you can also save it and wait till get one of the same level to be able to merge them.

Whichever option you choose, when you want to open it you have to select them and choose the option to open there will tell you how long you have to wait. The higher the level of the crate, the greater the rewards, but also the longer it will take to open.

Energy crate: The crates contain only energy inside so nothing that comes out of it can surprise you. They are usually achieved by levelling up or completing an order. These crates cannot be levelled up as they are at their maximum level when they appear. Toolbox: Toolboxes are boxes full of tools where you can find everything from screws and wood to cement and bricks for construction. They are crucial for building upgrades. Not only that, but they are quite difficult to get, usually given to you as a reward for hard-to-complete orders.

So I recommend that you keep everything that comes out of the toolbox well until you can get the maximum level of each item. So when you manage to build, for example, a brick wall or a concrete mixer, it will be kept in the inventory until you use it in some upgrade.

These tool items will be saved in the second tab of the inventory. So you should not worry about them taking up space. You can go check what materials you have stored at any time.

8. Special Items Are Difficult To Get

Joker: The jokers are rarer items than diamonds. And they have the peculiarity of being able to duplicate any common object you have in the playground. If you’re lucky enough to get one, I don’t recommend using it to combine with a pebble.

Save it or use it to combine with an object that has a very high tier level. This way you will save a lot of time. You also have the option to buy it in the store in exchange for diamonds. So it would be a good purchase. Bubbled items: Bubbled items are items that appear inside a bubble when you are creating an object. These objects are trapped and you will not be able to use them unless you pay their reward in diamonds. Its price varies depending on the difficulty of the item. It may be that you are not interested in taking out of the bubble in exchange for some diamonds. But as soon as an item that you need appears, this may be worth spending diamonds on.

Be aware, you cannot doubt it for a long time since the bubble will disappear in a short time. Don’t worry if you decide not to pay with diamonds, the bubbles always leave you something in return, which can be a smiley, energy or even a diamond.

Mysterious letter: Just as its name says, this letter is mysterious, it is rumoured that it has a map inside and that it takes you to some hidden place in Travel Adventure, have you got it yet? Do not worry that as the levels progress they will come to your hands. As a suggestion, you should start by getting letters out of the bucket. Mysterious fossil: If there was something more mysterious than the mysterious letter, it is surely this fossil. It is much more difficult to get, but believe me, it has a very good reward.

9. Take Part In Special Events

Do not forget to complete the special events, they are a good opportunity to gather resources. Daily challenge: It is a daily event that will appear as an order on the top right and when you open it you will be able to see the tasks to complete. This order, unlike the others, has a time limit that you cannot exceed. You can see the time remaining from the order or when opening it as well.

You can also see the counter, for example, if it says 0/3, it means that you have 0 tasks performed out of 3. As you complete them, it will indicate 1/3, 2/3, and so on until it reaches 3/3. Completing it will give you the reward indicated in the order. Wildlife sanctuary: it is a special event to which you are going to be invited to travel to the jungle. Precisely to a sanctuary, where you can feed and rescue tigers, cut dry or fallen trees, and plant new and healthy ones.

During our stay in the sanctuary, you have to try to complete as many requests as possible. Here there are no smileys as a reward for orders. But in exchange for completing an order, they will give you a paw token.

As you collect the paws you will advance in level, each time you reach a new level you will need more tokens to complete it. Once the time of the stay finishes, they will give you a diploma with the maximum level you reached and with it the rewards. The levels that you can reach range from level 1 to 8.

In the sanctuary, you will have a different energy, which has the same functionality as in the rest of the game but it is blue. When you run out of energy, you can go out and wait for it to recharge or you can also buy it with diamonds.

You can also collect smileys that will appear from time to time when you mix some items, it may be that smileys appear and you can collect those, a tip to take advantage of here is that if you see that our time in the jungle is running out and they are going to be left items, the ideal is that you can sell them before leave. Because once the time is up you won’t be able to come back for anything from the place.

The mechanic is very similar to what you’ve been doing. Only that here your mission, apart from completing the orders, is to rescue the tigers that are in the jungle. To do this, the first thing you must do is get items from the worker’s hut in exchange for energy. From here you can get tools, seeds and feeding bottles.

How to rescue your first tiger? The tigers are lost in the middle of the jungle but to get to them you must first cut down the fallen trees. You do this by taking some items of tools to the maximum level until you get a chainsaw. With it, you can choose the place to weed. Note that there are two types of trees to cut, one is the dry one that you will have to cut 2 times, so you will need 2 chainsaws.

And the other one is the stump for which you’re going to have to cut only once. Both will give you lodges in return. Once you enter the jungle you will find items in grey covered by the undergrowth, to unlock it you must get a matching item. When you go into the jungle, you may find a baby tiger in grey and to rescue it you will need to have another one. To get one you have to take a feeding bottle to the maximum level, then you double-tap it and a baby tiger will appear.

Once you got the baby tiger now with it, you can rescue the one you found in the jungle.

How do you plant new and healthy trees? Once you were able to remove the dry trees, the idea of ​​the sanctuary is that you reforest it with healthy trees. To do this you must start by mixing the seeds until you bring them to their maximum level. When you manage to have a Sundari tree, it will provide you with seeds and flowers without having to spend energy in return.

As soon as you finish don’t forget to claim your reward.

10. Be Persistent And Be Patient

As you progress in the game, you can achieve more complex items. Or maybe you use up energy faster. But don’t get discouraged, you can close the game and come back when you have full energy. Some items will take a few days to form but in the meantime, you will always have some other easier items to deliver. And when you have a permanent item in cooldown, relax and do other things in Travel Town.

That was our last piece of advice, and with that we conclude our Travel Town beginner’s guide. Hopefully, the tips and tricks we shared in this article will help you to advance in the best way until you complete your collection of objects and restore the city. If you have discovered any other tips or tricks during your gameplay, we would be happy to hear from you! Feel free to drop us a line in the comments below!

Karen Lancaster

Tuesday 26th of March 2024

How do I get the sand mmmm sand castle out of bucket rather than the shells ?

Deborah Leigh

Tuesday 13th of February 2024

What is an auto producer I keep hearing them mentioned. What do I do with the items? What items should I keep on the board?

Saturday 25th of November 2023

My favorite simple trick is this: try to keep 3 jewelry boxes on the playing board. Never combine them, and they will generate free jewelry three times as fast. Same with ice cream generators. Have fun Y'all.

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

Hi can someone tell me how to make the Goddess sculpture. I believe you use the are supplies for and I'm getting paintbrushes and notebooks which gave me pipes and make a colorful palette and pieces of concrete. But I don't know what to do with them. Thank you for any advice I could get

Sunday 6th of August 2023

What do the pearls do in the beach game?

How to Get Merge Items in Travel Town? (FAQs Guide)

There are hundreds of merge items in Travel Town game. In game, some objects or items need more effort to get them.

This guide is about those items and how to get them – How you can get guppy , goldfish , fish , picture book , monkeys , medals , pocket square , gift soap , decorated cup and more items in Travel Town.

How to get Guppy and Goldfish in Travel Town?

You can get Guppy and Goldfish from the Sculpted Fountain in Travel Town. Here is a complete merge guide to create Guppy and Goldfish from Sculpted Fountain.

• Create Seeds and Water from Arabian Queen Gazebo.
• Merge Droplets to create Small Splash.
• Merge Small Splashes to create Big Splash.
• Merge Big Splashes to create a Simple Pool.
• Merge Simple Pools to create a Sunken Pool.
• Merge Sunken Pools to create a Raised Pool.
• Merge Raised Pools to create a Tiered Fountain.
• Merge Tiered Fountains to create an Ornate Fountain.
• Merge Ornate Fountains to create a Sculpted Fountain.
• Sculpted Fountain created Guppy and Goldfishes for you.

The merge sequence to get Guppy and Goldfish is Droplets, Small Splashe, Big Splashe, Simple Pool, Sunken Pool, Raised Pool, Tiered Fountain, Ornate Fountain and Sculpted Fountain.

How to get Fish in Travel Town?

In Travel Town you can create Fish by merging Soldier Crabs . To get fish create Driving Gear from Boat, merge them to create Full Oxygen Tank and get Sea Plant from it. Continue Sea Plant merge until Soldier Crabs and get Fish by merging them.

The merge sequence from Boat Driving Gear to Fish is following,

Boat creates Driving Gear and Bottled Messages, Driving Goggles, Driving Snorkel, Flippers, Oxygen Sensor, Empty Oxygen Tank, 1/3 Filled Oxygen Tank, 2/3 Filled Oxygen Tank, Full Oxygen Tank(creates Fish), Sea Plant, Shrimp, Lobster, Soldier Crabs and Fish.

How to get a picture book in Travel Town? (Pop Up book, 3D book)

Here is the answer to get a Pop Up and 3D picture book in Travel Town.

To get picture books (Pop Up book, 3D book) first create Notepads and Pens from Chubby Pencil Case, upgrade them to max level Fountain Pen and First Draft. This First Draft creates a picture book collection.

How to get Flexible Monkey in Travel Town?

Big Fishing Net generally creates Seaweed, Marine Minerals and Star Boxes. But, sometimes it creates Undersea Gold. This Undersea Gold creates Yogi Monkeys and Gold Watches. You can merge Zen Monkey and so on to reach max Flexible Monkey. 

How to get Medals in Travel Town?

To get Bronze, Silver, Gold and more medals in Travel Town, first get a Dog Mansion , which is a max level dog house. Next, create dog agility testing equipment using Dog Mansion. Now, get the max level Agility Test and click it for medals.

How to get Pocket Square in Travel Town?

To get Pocket Square in Travel Town, create Sewing Accessories from Sewing Side Table and Merge to reach max level for Sewing Station and Sewing Machine . Now, Create Cloth & Thread from Sewing Station and click Sewing Machine to get Pocket Square.

How to get gift soap and a decorated cup in Travel Town?

To get Gift Soap and a Decorated cup, here are the merge steps,

• Herb store – gives you herbs.
• Jars – Merge herbs to make jars.
• Full Jar – Merge Jars to make a full jar.
• Tea Cups – Full jar creates essential oils and tea cups.
• Decorated cup – Merge tea cups to make a decorated cup.
• Essential Oils – Full jar creates essential oils and tea cups.
• Oil Dropper – Merge essential oils to make an oil dropper.
• Scented Satchel – Merge oil droppers to make scented satchel.
• Gift Soap – Merge scented satchels to make gift soap.

Hope you find this – How to get items in the Travel Town guide helpful. We will try to add more items in the Guide based on your queries. So, keep in touch.

Travel Town related posts

• Travel Town Free Energy Links and More Ways
• How to Get Diamonds in Travel Town?
• How Do You Get Mysterious Fossil in Travel Town?
• How to Get Merge Items in Travel Town?
• Travel Town Splitter Guide
• How to Sell Items in Travel Town?
• Joker in Travel Town – What Is It and How to Get
• Where to Store Producers in Travel Town?
• Trade Cards in Travel Town

Travel Town Answers for iPhone - iPad

• Developer: Magmatic Games Ltd
• Publisher: Magmatic Games Ltd
• Genre: Puzzle Matching
• Release: Feb 12, 2021
• Platform: iPhone - iPad
• ESRB: Not Set

Question & Answers

Level 1 picture book.

How do I complete the picture book level 1?

Answer from: Unknown Ik the backyard is sk hard I cant find the backyard swing.

Answer from: Licorsa Use the stationery display to produce notebooks and pens; upgrade both to max level; double click on the notebook to use the pens to produce picture books.

Travel Town - Gameplay Video

• Added on: Aug 31, 2022

Travel Town - Merge Adventure 4+

Merge & discover‪‬, magmatic games ltd, designed for ipad.

• #3 in Board
• 4.8 • 62.8K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Explore Travel Town, where you can combine everything into better and more useful items while you travel the world! Reveal secrets as you discover yourself and help the friendly people of Travel Town! TRAVEL TOWN FEATURES: == Match Objects == • Discover over 500 fantastic objects through hundreds of levels! • Freely drag objects around the beautiful world and match 2 of a kind evolve them into more superior items! • Fulfil the missions of the townsfolk to unlock more amazing items! == Meet New Villagers == • Discover 55 villagers who live in Travel Town, and help them restore their seaside town! • Match objects to upgrade them and unlock more and more items to support you on your journey! == Town Building == • A storm has ravaged Travel Town - Collect coins and bring the town back to its former beauty! • Discover and upgrade dozens of houses and improve the town beyond your wildest dreams! Follow Travel Town on Facebook and Instagram for exclusive offers and bonuses! Facebook: facebook.com/TravelTownGame/ Instagram: instagram.com/traveltowngame/ Terms of Service: https://static.moonactive.net/legal/terms.html Privacy Notice: https://static.moonactive.net/legal/privacy.html Questions about the game? Contact us in the game by clicking on Settings > Contact Us Our support is also ready and waiting at: https://support.traveltowngame.com/

Version 2.12.532

Welcome to the latest update of Travel Town! We’ve been busy improving the game and addressing bugs for you. Enjoy!

Ratings and Reviews

62.8K Ratings

Overall enjoyable

Fun match game, similar to other games out there. What makes this one unique is the town development aspect and the various producers that you get as you move through the game. Some are regular tap for an item, some spit the items out at a certain interval, and some need to be tapped multiple times to produce the item. Those last ones are the most frustrating, but I like the additional challenge of having to ration your energy and plan your moves to optimize order completion. I do have a few *minor* critiques. After a certain point, you stop using some producers all together. The game has a kind of cold storage for the obsolete producers to get them out of the way. However, I do wish the game would circle back to them sometimes. Just to mix it up. Also, the frequency of energy and gem drops is rather low compared to other similar games; it would be nice to have more of a chance to get energy and gems. In the same vein, the cost of energy feels high and I dislike that the item shop only offers gems prices. Overall, this is a nice game that keeps me returning daily. It’s relaxingly simple while providing a slight challenge in terms of resource management. The special events are always a fun bonus, too.

Developer Response ,

Thank you for this feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know your thoughts!😊

Still getting stuck with big update…

First off, I do really enjoy this game, and I don’t mind the new update too much. Even though we had to start over, you gave us all our diamonds back, and it was kind of nice to start with a fresh board again. HOWEVER, you said it was to give smoother progresss for everyone and less instances of getting stuck and that’s NOT what’s happening for me. I’m at level 16 and progress has pretty much halted completely. Tasks that offer supplies as rewards are not often enough to continue upgrading the buildings so I have 3 buildings just sitting there waiting for me to get more cement mixers, brick walls, and boxes of nails. So progress has almost completely stopped for me and I am unable to play the game as intended. I get what you were trying to do but you need another update to accomplish it. Right now I am just disappointed and frustrated. (Side note, the amount you get for selling high level items is ridiculous. For example, the large bacota sandwich is level 13, but when you sell it you only get 12 back, which is borderline insulting! You get 1 for the mix of olives that is level 2 in the same category so we should be getting A LOT more back for the sandwich considering it takes 2,048 olives to create it…just something to think about as this is always something about your game that has always rubbed me the wrong way.)

Hi, please send us an email about this at [email protected] Thank you.

Used to like it a lot

Thie game started off really fun and I really enjoy it especially considering theres little to no ads interrupting everything. It takes so much time and energy now to actually accomplish anything and even if I use gems to replenish my energy half the time it gives me things I don't need. My board has become so full and overwhelming that I can barely tell what I have on it anymore. And random stacks of cookies now? What am I supposed to do with these? I have resorted to selling them which only gives me like 2 energy. Selling high quality items barely gives you anything. And im now stuck on trying to get enough coins and building materials. I'm pretty far along but thats because I give a lot of time between to build up energy. And also the daily challenges are near impossible, you would have you spend basically 24/7 on the game to get all of them considering it asks you to collect coins most of the time. I also hate the tile/pottery thing, takes so much energy to use it and it never gives you want you want. This game is based on luck now. Stop adding random stuff and cluttering everything. If we complete one of the producers and max everything out in it we should be able to put it away indefinitely so there's more space, allow easier daily tasks, make maxed out items worth more. And get rid of the useless items that build up.

Thank you so much for your feedback! We will certainly take it into consideration as we are continuously enhancing Travel Town.

App Privacy

The developer, Magmatic Games Ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish

• Mega amazing offer 41 $1.99
• Mega amazing offer 1080 $3.99
• Mega amazing offer 42 $4.99
• Mega amazing offer 1001 $2.99
• Mega amazing offer 1016 $7.99
• Mega amazing offer 43 $9.99
• Mega amazing offer 1031 $14.99
• Mega amazing offer 1019 $7.99
• Mega amazing offer 1046 $24.99
• Mega amazing offer 1081 $12.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Game Center

Challenge friends and check leaderboards and achievements., you might also like.

Spider Solitaire #1 Card Game

Cake Sort Puzzle 3D

Match Triple Goods:Sort Games

Merge Hexa: Number Puzzle Game

Sarah's Adventure: Time Travel

Hidden Objects - The Journey

The Sapling Network

Level Up Your Gaming Experience!

Books in Travel Town

Table of Contents

🤔 Have you ever wanted to get your hands on a book in the game Travel Town? Have you been wondering how to do so? Look no further! In this article, we’ll explain how to get books by combining max level notebooks with fountain pens from stationary producers. We’ll also discuss the importance of upgrading to the max level as soon as possible and provide tips for creating books more efficiently. So, let’s get started!

How To Get Books In Travel Town?

How To Get Books In Travel Town: Upgrade the stationery producer to the max level and combine a max level notebook with a fountain pen from the store to create a book. Double click the notebook and it will use the fountain pen to create the book. You can create multiple books with more pens from one open notebook.

Combining Max Level

To get the book in the game TravelTown, you need to combine a max level notebook with a fountain pen from the stationary producer. You can use 8 fountain pens on the max notebook before it disappears and you have to start over again. 📖

Upgrade Stationery

The stationery producer should be upgraded to the max level as soon as possible to produce higher level notebooks. This will allow you to get the most out of your pens and create more books. 🔝

Double Click Notebook

Double click a max level journal while you have a max level pen from the bookstore item to combine them to get the book and items. Each max level journal can use about 16 pens before it’ll disappear. 💻

Reach Notebook Max Level

You need to reach notepads max level + pen max level. This will give you the ability to create more books with your pens. 📝

Merge Pen and Notebook

Fountain Pen merged with the highest notebook level will create pop up books. You have to max out the books and max out the pencils and you combine fountain pen and first draft to create the comic book. 📚

Create Books with Pens

Once you have the max notebook (leather open pages) and the fountain pen tap the notebook and it will suck the pen towards it and turn into a book. You will be able to create several books with more pens from one open notebook. 📙

Tap Open Notebook

Once you have the max notebook (leather open pages) and the fountain pen tap the notebook and it will suck the pen towards it and turn into a book. This will allow you to quickly create several books with just one pen. 📗

Combine Fountain Pen and Draft

You will need to max out the notebook (open notebook) as well as the fountain pen. Once you have both, tap the open notebook, and the pen will merge in to create a book. You will be able to create several books with more pens from one open notebook. 🖊️

Q: How many fountain pens can I use on a max level notebook? A: You can use 8 fountain pens on the max level notebook before it disappears and you have to start over again.

Q: How do I create a book? A: You need to reach the max level for both the notebook and the fountain pen. Once you have both, tap the open notebook, and the pen will merge in to create a book. You will be able to create several books with more pens from one open notebook.

Q: What do I need to create a book? A: You need to have a max level notebook and a max level fountain pen. Once you have both, tap the open notebook, and the pen will merge in to create a book.

Q: How do I upgrade the stationery? A: The stationery producer should be upgraded to the max level as soon as possible to produce higher level notebooks. This will allow you to get the most out of your pens and create more books.

Creating books in the game TravelTown can be a fun and rewarding experience. To do so, you need to combine a max level notebook with a fountain pen from the stationary producer. Once you have the max level notebook and the fountain pen, tap the open notebook and the pen will merge in to create a book 🤓. Don’t forget to upgrade the stationery producer to the max level as soon as possible so you can produce higher level notebooks and get the most out of your pens. Happy creating! 🤩

William, the creator of The Sapling Network, is a passionate gamer who loves sharing his gaming wisdom with the world. His in-depth knowledge and ability to uncover hidden methods have made him a trusted resource for gamers of all levels. Through The Sapling Network, William empowers gamers worldwide, enhancing their gaming experiences.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Login with Google

Travel Town Pop up book

Search results from other threads.

Fountain Pen merged with the highest notebook level will create pop up books.

Comment found on Travel Town: Does anyone know what I...

How to take screenshots

To take a screenshot with your Mac, Command + Shift + 3 and then release all keys to captuer the whole screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 and press down and drag the mouse over the area you'd like to capture.

iPhone/iPad

To take a screenshot with your iPhone or iPod Touch, press and hold the sleep/wake button and then click the Home button.

Take a Screenshot with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) just press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time.

Recent Activity

• New Topic Topic Travel Town: Candy shop started
• New Topic Topic Travel Town: Cake truffle started
• New Topic Topic Travel Town: Cake pop started
• New Topic Topic Travel Town: Free link energy travel town started

See More Activities

Sorry, we couldn't find any video tips for this topic.

Submit how-to video video tips, other videos.

Hi there! Thanks for visiting our site!

It looks like you are using an ad blocker. We understand, who doesn't? But without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome.

Whitelist our site (here's how!)

Travel Town - Merge Adventure

About this game

Data safety.

Ratings and reviews

• Flag inappropriate

• Show review history

What's new

App support, similar games.

Get 15% OFF storewide your first order!

+ Free shipping on all orders. Use code: NEW15 

Perfect Travel Photo Book Ideas - The Ultimate Guide

All of us love to mark every trip, vacation, or journey with a set of beautiful photos, giving us a chance to share our memories. The right images, curated perfectly, capture those life-changing moments when we travel. But there’s a difference between an album of random pictures and the perfect travel photo book ideas come to life. 

But why design a photo book when random images stored on your cell phone will suffice? 

Well, no matter how different we all may be, everyone across the globe shares the desire to travel. Heck, it’s why travel posters are so popular! We all love to explore, see new places, eat amazing foods, and experience different cultures. From Paris to Rome to New York City , travel unites us and has done so for centuries. 

With the perfect travel photo book, we can go beyond simply sharing our travel experiences. We can use the story told through pictures to learn, grow, and come closer together. Are you looking for the perfect travel photo book ideas? Do you want to capture every lesson, memory, and life-changing experience? Read on for our ultimate guide.  

What Is a Travel Photo Book?

The perfect travel photo book keeps your trip alive long after you unpack your suitcase. But, when it comes down to it, what is a travel photo book, and why would you want to make one anyway? After all, how can a photograph compare to seeing the pyramids in Egypt or drinking a bottle of wine at the  Trevi Fountain in Rome? Pictures are nice, but they don't compare to the real thing, do they?

A great travel photo book is an opportunity to bring your trip to life and share your memories. When done right, it can add new perspectives and value you hadn't seen the first time. Plus, designing a travel photo book is a great way to relive your journey! Turn the process into a project. As you recall the memories, share them with family and friends. You can get closer to loved ones who went on the trip as you create your photo book.

Why Should I Make a Travel Photo Book?

Why, though — why design the perfect travel photo book after taking the ideal journey? Can a photo book really capture everything you felt on your trip? We say emphatically, yes! When done right, a travel photo book can enhance your trip or vacation in many ways. It can become the perfect coffee table memoir of your favorite places around the world. In fact, there are numerous reasons to create a travel photo book. 

Photo books are a great way to display pictures and tell your story. Here are a few more reasons why a travel photo book is the way to go:

With a Travel Photo Book You Can Say Goodbye to the Digital Screen

We live in a digital age. Everyone spends their working and off hours on their cell phones, tablets, and computers. But a travel photo book lets all of us, for just a brief moment, say “no” to our digital screens. Even in this day and age everyone loves a physical book. Why? We all long for something intimate, like a book. Travel photo books give us a minute to put down our phones and flip through our memories. They bring us closer to our loved ones.

A Travel Photo Book Is a Work of Art

You can’t put the digital photos from your phone on your coffee table. Photo books, on the other hand, make a great addition to any room. Add a photo book to your coffee table, bookshelf, or living room as an accent piece and watch as the compliments roll in from your friends and family.

Your Travel Photo Book Travels Well (and No Help Desk Is Needed!)

Sure, you can pull out your phone and laptop to share your photos from your last trip. But what if the wi-fi is down or your battery is dead. Travel photo books travel well. Moreover, they come with no battery and no need for 24 hour customer support. You can take a book to family occasions, friends' houses, or anywhere you wish to share your memories.

These are only a few reasons why travel photo books are the perfect way to memorialize your latest journey. But how do you go about making one? Read on for more tips and tricks.

How Do You Make a Good Travel Photo Book?

How do you make a good travel photo book? You use MixPlaces, of course!

Making your very own travel photo book with MixPlaces is an exciting journey of its own. Thanks to our photo book-building algorithm, which uses the data in your pictures to lay out the images for you, you can have a unique, beautiful travel photo book within minutes.

Our one-of-a-kind photo book options are customizable, too, letting you create something extraordinary. You’ll be able to capture old memories and create new ones, thanks to MixPlaces.

But how does it work? How have we blended technology, art, and of course, your memories, to allow you to design something truly unique?

How to Download the MixPlaces App

The process begins with our app — or our desktop version for those who prefer to do things in classic mode. We use the metadata in your images to create a truly spectacular travel photo book (but more on that soon). And while everything may seem like magic at first glance, it’s all powered by the latest technology. As someone famous once said, magic and science, when done correctly, are indistinguishable. 

Downloading the app is easy. Go to either the App Store or the Google Play Store (it’s available on both Android and iPhones), search for MixPlaces, and download. Once completed, the real fun begins!

Different Types of Travel Photo Books: Chronological vs. Place

While a great travel photo book is, in many ways, the antithesis of digital photography, it’s also built upon its foundation. Nowadays, everyone's photos are on phones, computers, SD cards, and hard drives, where they can disappear into a black hole, never to be seen again. But at MixPlaces, we can help you use the metadata in your photos to create a travel photo book that’s powerful — one that brings your pictures out into the light for everyone to enjoy. 

There are a couple of different ways to do this. With MixPlaces, you can build two different types of travel photo books:

• Chronological Photo Book - Transform your travel memories into a stunning story with a personalized chronological photo book from MixPlaces. Our easy-to-use builder organizes your travel moments into a sensational story, breaking down every milestone by day, date, week, month, or year.
• Place-Based Photo Book - Design a unique and personalized Places Book with MixPlaces to turn your travel memories into a captivating story that can be cherished for years to come. Our builder organizes your moments by location, breaking down every milestone by neighborhood, city, town, country, or place.

The best travel photo books aren't anything in particular (after all, creating something unique means creating something personal). But, like a journey, a travel photo book goes wherever you take it. Let’s take a deeper dive into MixPlaces photo books.

A Chronological Travel Photo Book Tells Your Story From Beginning to End

With a chronological book , you can share your adventures, from the planning stages to the final moments of your journey, and gain a deeper look at the story behind them.

Capture your wanderlust and create a travel book that includes all of your favorite travel moments, from the breathtaking views to the delicious meals and exciting activities. Whether it's a solo trip, romantic getaway, or family vacation, a chronological photo book will allow you to relive your experiences and share them with loved ones. Let MixPlaces help you turn your travel moments into a stunning album of enhanced memories that can be treasured for a lifetime.

Let our algorithm highlight your most memorable moments and lay out your images based on different dates. With a chronological travel photo book from MixPlaces, tell the story of your journey from beginning to end — and create that story in minutes with our app!

Place-Based Travel Photo Books Focus On the Places You Hold Deep in Your Heart

With a places book , you can relive your travel adventures and gain a deeper understanding of the places you've been, from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the stunning landscapes of New Zealand.

Capture every detail of your journeys, including your favorite sights and experiences, and bring them to life in a beautifully designed Places Book. Whether you're an avid traveler or just looking to preserve your memories of a special trip, our builder makes it easy to create a custom photo book that tells your unique story.

From exploring new cities to discovering hidden gems, a Places Book from MixPlaces is the perfect way to showcase your love of travel and preserve your most cherished memories.

Whether you celebrated life-changing events in Paris or have special memories in and around your house, we’ll find the sites that mean the most to you and build a book focused on them.

How to Make a Good Travel Photo Book With MixPlaces

After choosing between a chronological or place-based photo book, it’s time to hop into the MixPlaces app and build your travel photo book. How do you make a good travel photo book? Below, we explain in detail the steps you need to take. We’ve also included the following quick reference guide that will help you build a beautiful book in a snap.

Follow these steps, and before you know it, your journey will jump off the page:

Hard or Soft Cover? Yes Please!

Whether you choose a hard or soft cover book from MixPlaces, you’re getting the best we have to offer. Our binding, building, and production is all done locally, giving you a final product that lasts forever.

Orientation and Size Really Do Matter!

The next step to creating the perfect travel photo book with MixPlaces is a simple but crucial one. You need to choose both the size and orientation of your book. While it may seem small, every detail counts when building your book and telling your story. Do you want a portrait, landscape, or square? Regarding the size, are you thinking 11x11 or 8x8? Don’t worry. You can always go back and change it.

Now For the Fun Part: Upload Your Photos

It’s time to upload your photos and build your book. Once you choose your best shots, the MixPlaces app will ask you to pick a few favorites. You’ll also have a choice between a few different design styles, including the following:

You’ll name your travel photo book and, depending on the type of book you’re creating, designate chapters too. After that, the real magic begins!

A Quick Edit

You may need to perform a quick edit on some of your photos. MixPlaces will review the data on your photos and ask you to fill in any missing information. `

Pick Your Favs (It’s Hard to Choose, We Know!)

Next, the app will ask you to choose a few of your favorite images from the ones you’ve uploaded. While picking a favorite photo is like choosing a favorite child sometimes — difficult, if not impossible — this tells the builder which photos to highlight when creating your book.

Choose a Design Style

Here you’ll have three options — Classic, Modern, and Minimalist. Whichever you choose will inform how the MixPlaces algorithm designs and builds your book. For example, if you choose minimalist design, the algorithm will choose colors, artworks, and layouts from within tht family and randomize them throughout your book.

Don’t Forget to Save!

You’ll be asked to choose a name, date, and even image density for your project. In this area is where you will save your project.

Chapter 1: In the Beginning…

Next the app will identify chapters for your travel photo book. For example, if your book can be broken down by place, the app may give you several options, asking if you want to create chapters based on country, region, or city. You are also given the option to skip, thereby not adding chapters to your photo book.

Using the Data in Your Photos, MixPlaces Builds a Layout in Minutes

How do we create these beautiful layouts for you? We design the picture-perfect book based on whether your photos are in landscape or portrait layout and how many there are. It's all determined by the number of pictures per page and the orientation of the photos. Everything is done by our algorithm — and done in minutes.

And then, we choose the artwork. Based on the dates and locations of your photos, we add custom street maps , coordinates art , custom star maps , and more. Each piece of information highlights your trip and brings out more detail. Where were you standing when you took that picture in Scotland? How were the stars aligned on that one unforgettable night in Brazil? What streets were near those monuments you saw in the United Kingdom — the ones where you kissed for the very first time? 

Customization: What Makes MixPlaces Travel Photo Book Unique?

Of course, no one wants a travel photo book that's entirely computer-generated, and MixPlaces understands that better than anyone. What makes MixPlaces travel photo book so unique is the fact that our powerful app lets you customize your book in myriad ways. Once your book is built, our Editor takes you through various steps, giving you so many options to add a personal touch. 

What really makes MixPlaces stand out from others on the market today is how we connect the metadata in your images with real artwork. What do we mean? Just take a look at what you can add to your travel photo book:

• Star Maps - see what the stars looked like on any given night of your trip.
• Street Maps - create beautiful, customizable street maps that highlight memorable locations to which you went.
• Coordinates Art  - commemorate your favorite place with a coordinate image, marking the exact location of those very special moments.

And that’s not all. With MixPlaces, once our builder creates your book, our editor let’s you view different layouts for each page, change page layouts, change the order of pages, add or delete a page, and change specific photos on a page.

Mix and Match Photo Groups Too

You can even mix and match photo groups in the MixPlaces Editor, though, in this case, the app will ask the user if you want to rebuild (start over) or continue as is. If you upload new images to the book, the Builder will re-organize based on the latest data, making the book look different. Either way, users have a gorgeous travel photo book that brings out their memories in mere moments.

All of the above are just the basics, of course. Let’s look at what goes into making the perfect travel photo book.

What Should Be Included in a Photo Book?

Now that you know how to create the perfect travel book, what should you include? Most vacations are filled with unforgettable moments — from historical monuments to romantic evenings. But how do you decide what makes it in the book and what goes on the cutting room floor? What about your memories from small road trips or weekend getaways? Can you create a book out of those too?

When you design a travel photo book, many decisions go into the process. But the process should be fun too. And while you're at it, make it a collaborative process. Invite your travel partners to bring their photos and include them in your book (unless the book is a gift. Then, mums the word!).

Let's relive vacation memories the best way we know how with an adequately curated travel photo book. Here is our ultimate guide on what you should include.

The Top Moments You Remember From Your Trip

First things first — what were the top moments from your trip? These can be more than just vacation highlights, such as prominent monuments or sightseeing spots. After all, we've all seen the Eiffel Tower . What about the more intimate moments (don't worry, not too intimate)? Or maybe a special place where you felt changed.

Find memories that mean something to you and add those to your travel photo book. Save the sightseeing photos for T-Shirts and knick-knacks. Here, you want to capture unique, memorable, and life-changing moments.

Stories and Anecdotes That Made the Trip Special

Share your stories and anecdotes! Every trip has a funny story — remember that time you tripped on the Spanish Steps (don't worry, no one got hurt!). Use your text to add the stories everyone remembers, along with the inside jokes and touching moments that made the trip one you'll never forget.

Twenty years from now, when your kids ask why you were lying down on the Spanish Steps, you can smile and tell them the story! Vacations are about adding to your personal story, and travel photo books are a place to write the next chapter.

Pin Your Favorites Sites On A Map

Maps are a great way to highlight your journey in a travel photo book (and MixPlaces is perfect for this). Outline your trip with an image of your route Indiana Jones style! Adding a street map is a fun touch if you take unique pictures at a particular location.

Adding your favorite sites complete with maps or routes can make a travel photo book pop. Whether you went to the Eiffel Tower or caught a baseball game in every stadium in the United States, a map can help your book tell the story. Turn your travel photo book into something more by bringing the sites you saw to life!

Add Some Personality To Your Travel Photo Book

Your book's first page should feature pictures of your traveling companions with captions describing who they are and what they do. For example, if you took a road trip with the fam, you may note that Dad took the wheel while Mom was the navigator. This works well for extensive group trips with lots of people, especially when you start to add funny anecdotes next to everyone's name. For example, Missy: Trip Comedian; Dave: Vacation Tour Guide (Who Always Got Us Lost).

Show Everyone Pictures Of Your Food (Really!)

Food — sometimes, a great trip can be all about food. Where you ate, what you ate, and the conversations you had at every meal. Food can bring us together, and the perfect meal can change your life.

Add food to your travel photo book. There's a story behind every nosh, and your book will bring it out (and make you hungry while doing so). Put everything from fine French dining to hot dogs at the carnival. Show people the exotic meals you had while traveling to new places and prove to everyone you ate the world's biggest steak. Nothing makes for a better memory than the food you ate.

Collaborate With Family, Friends, and Travel Companions

The best travel photo books are like the best vacations — better with friends! Add to your book by inviting your travel partners to collaborate with you. Multiple points of view will help you tell a well-rounded story. Plus, your friends and family will have great pictures that you may not have seen. Add a special section for friends and family, or mix their photos throughout the book.

Either way, the story of your journey will be richer and all the better for it.

Simply ask your travel companions to upload their photos to MixPlaces. Upload them to the app and customize your album in any way you like! Have a travel photo book party and together, you can go through all of your vacation photos and decide which ones will look best in your book. You can even make a day of it.

Add Your Travel Schedule For More Flair

Some trips are spur of the moment, while others are scheduled tight. If yours was the latter, why not include a copy of your trip schedule in your book? Give yourself a lasting reminder of how much fun you had darting from one place to the next. Did you go from museum to monument to lunch? Or was there time for sightseeing on your own? Did you have a tour guide (did you get their picture)? An itinerary can add some much-need flair to your travel photo book.

Travel itineraries don't have to be complicated either — a simple list will do the trick. For example:

• Monday - Breakfast, Eiffel Tour, Lunch, Musée du Louvre , Dinner, Drinks
• Tuesday - Breakfast, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris , Lunch, Walk down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Dinner
• Wednesday - Early Breakfast, Musée d'Orsay , Lunch, Arc de Triomphe , Dinner, Palais Garnier, Opéra National de Paris

You can give as much or as little detail as you want. But with a schedule, you'll be able to note everything you did and everywhere you went, adding to the story of your travels.

How Many Photos Can You Put in a Photo Book?

How many photos can you put in your travel photo book? Better still, how do you prepare you book? No matter where in the world your journey takes you, you want to make sure that you design a travel photo book that brings your travels to life — and that lasts a lifetime. While many different apps can help you create a travel photo book, only MixPlaces can build something unique that tells a real story. Still, there are a few steps you'll want to follow as you prepare your book.

The beauty of MixPlaces is that it's simple. The app's intuitive algorithms take your photos and build not just a book but an enhanced memory. Your travel photo book becomes something you will cherish for years. It's a premium, quality memento that repeatedly takes you back to your trip. Moreover, it's a fantastic value for the money.

Here are a few simple steps to help you get things started. Follow along and have a photo book that brings your journey to life. Your memories will jump off of every page!

Organize Your Photos

What photos say the most about your trip? The first thing you want to do when creating a travel photo book is organize your photos. While MixPlaces will create layouts and organize images in the app, you still want to go through your images beforehand to decide which pictures to upload and add to your book.

Go through your photos and put them in a file marked "trip" or "vacation." Take an afternoon alone or with friends and choose which pictures of the most likely hundreds you took on your vacation you should add to the book and which you should cut. It's an excellent opportunity to reminisce while going through everything. With everything properly organized, every other step will be much easier.

Choose a Story and Theme

How you tell your story is essential. Sometimes these things happen naturally, and sometimes they need a little push. Look at your photos and think about the story they tell. Was your journey fun? Enlightening? Educational? Romantic? The answer may not be so apparent at first glance.

What do you want to remember about your trip — the journey itself or the moments that made it up (there is no wrong answer here)? You may want to create a chronological photo book, guiding readers through your journey, or more of a place-based one that highlights special moments. How you curate everything is up to you. 

When you look back on your travel photo book in 20 years, you want to remember your trip exactly as it was. Use photos that will capture the reader's attention. More importantly, organize your pictures in a way that will add truth to your story.

Selecting and Editing the Best Images for Your Book

Though it may seem obvious, you always want to choose the perfect pictures. Before designing a travel photo book:

• Don't just organize your photos.
• Find the best photos too.
• Go through your trip's images and find the perfect shots.
• Be highly selective — no blurry photos or cropped images.

You're creating a book meant to last, so find picture-perfect... pictures. The best stories always shine with the best images.

Do You know the adage "less is more?" Well, that most definitely applies when creating a travel photo book. Nobody wants to see 50 pictures of you standing in front of a mountain (no matter how beautiful the mountain, or you, maybe). Moreover, you only need a few shots. Choose one or two perfect photos, and let the moment speak for itself.

Customization: Choose a Unique Look and Feel for Your Travel Photo Book

As you begin to wrap up your travel photo book, you want to add a bit of personal flair. Customize the book with a unique size, cover type, paper, and other trimmings that fit your style. Find something that works for you and matches your journey's feel. Make your book feel romantic or adventurous. 

Most of all, give your travel photo book a high-end touch. Every detail helps your journey come to life. The book will sit on your coffee table or bookshelf for years. It will be a part of your home. Will a hardcover or soft cover work for you? What type of paper do you want for the pages?

Some other small details to help your travel photo book feel notable include:

Clean and Balanced Designs

Simply put, don't overcrowd the photos on any page in your book. Give everything room to breathe and stand on its own. Let the reader experience each photo. You're not creating a collage, so don't put 50 images on one page.

Playing with Typography

Words are important — and how you present those words is even more important. How will you arrange the titles and words on the page? What fonts will you use? What font size will you use? Will you choose large header styles or smaller, more discreet types? Spacing, copy length, and more should all come into consideration.

Using Negative Spaces to Your Advantage

This may sound a bit opaque, but negative space can make your travel photo book pop. Don’t be afraid of a little negative or white space on the page and how it can add to your story.

Adding Meaningful Quotes or Phrases to Your Travel Book

“Not all those who wander are lost,” wrote J.R.R. Tolkien in The Fellowship of the Ring. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page,” St. Augustine was quoted as once saying.

“This vacation rocks,” you might have said on your last trip. Think about adding it to your travel photo book, whether it’s a deep and meaningful quote or just something fun from your travels. The perfect travel photo book ideas include placing quotes, anecdotes, and other tiny sayings throughout your book. The right amount of words (not too many) can complement your photos, making your book go from good to great.

How Do You Protect Your Photo Books?

Protecting your travel photo book isn’t easy. However, it all starts with quality. With MixPlaces, you’re guaranteed a premium, high-quality photo book that will last for ages. We use only the best paper and the best materials. 

Creating the perfect travel photo book isn’t easy — but the perfect trip is like finding the perfect gift , it’s very hard to pull off. But with our Ultimate Guide by your side and help from great apps like MixPlaces, things just got easier. So, hit the open road, grab the next flight, or just take a short overnight to the closest bed and breakfast. Wherever your next journey takes you, the proper tools can now help you build your trip into the perfect travel photo book.

Recommended topics

Top 10 Mother's Day Gifts Mar 19, 2024

Types of Coordinate Systems: A Comprehensive Guide Feb 20, 2024

Dissecting A Star Chart: Cartography Unveiled in Star Maps Jan 07, 2024

History of Maps Around The World: A Journey from Ptolemy to GPS Jan 02, 2024

Topographic Map vs Hillshade Map: What's The Difference? Dec 13, 2023

Top 10 Map Graphic Design Ideas & Inspiration Dec 04, 2023

Products You Might Like

Transform your precious moments into artwork that lasts.

Map your special moments with custom-made art made to last a lifetime.

Artistically mark the latitude and longitude of your most special places.

Create a custom star map of the sky as it was on your most memorable days.

Share memories of milestones marked over days, months, or years.

Forever remember your special moonlit nights with custom art made to last.

Center your story around the cities, regions, and countries you love.

Get Exclusive Offers and Mixplaces News

Sign up to get first dibs on new launches, promos, 25% off your first purchase, and other news.

By registering you agree to our Privacy and Cookie Policy  and Terms & Conditions

Our agents are waiting for your call.

• Chat With Us

29 Children’s Books That Will Teach Your Kids About the World

By Caitlin Morton

Aside from actually hopping on a plane, reading is the best way for children to learn about the world—and travel books for kids happen to be some of the most touching, open-minded works out there. We asked around for recommendations for the best books that teach children about the world, polling experts like bookshop owners, authors, and librarians across the country.

You’ve probably heard of some of their picks already, but we hope this list will introduce your family to some new stories as well, whether it’s about a young girl shopping in India or a family taking a heritage trip to Nigeria. These are 29 of the best children’s books about travel, social awareness, and self-discovery—sure to be a hit for bedtime reading, road trips, and beyond.

This gallery was last published in April 2020. It has been updated with new information.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Ages: newborn to 3

Subway by Anastasia Suen

As the co-founder and owner of Eyeseeme , a children’s bookstore focused on African American and multicultural literature based in a St. Louis suburb, Pamela Blair is an expert when it comes to kids' books. For the youngest of youngsters, she loves Subway by Anastasia Suen, a board book showing a mother and daughter’s ride through New York City. “It makes riding the subway sound like fun,” says Blair.

Busy City by Maddie Frost

Blair also recommends Busy City as a great board book that teaches kids about travel and exploration. With engaging illustrations and simple concepts, Maddie Frost takes readers through the sights and sounds of city life, from honking trucks to rumbling construction sites.

A Little Engine That Could Road Trip series by Watty Piper

There’s a good chance you read The Little Engine That Could when you were a child. This new series from Penguin Books, which launches in May, follows everyone’s favorite helpful blue train as she travels through all 50 states to teach kids about the culture, food, and landmarks of the U.S. The board books are beautifully illustrated by Jill Howarth, who got a mini-education of her own during the artistic process. “Working on these books has been a great way to virtually travel this past year alongside the Little Engine,” she says. “Whether I’ve ever been in the states she goes to or not, I learned about some fun destinations. I hope little readers will enjoy the trip.”

Stacey Lastoe

Tonya Russell

Laura Kiniry

Nora Zelevansky

Babies Around the World by Puck

Babies love looking at other babies, which means your kids will love Babies Around the World . Another Eyeseeme pick, the board book travels around the world—with stops including Mexico City, Cape Town, Beijing, and Cairo—to meet babies saying “hello” in their languages.

My Little Cities series by Jennifer Adams

This board book series is a favorite of Olisha James, a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library’s Stapleton Branch on Staten Island. “The rhyming text takes you on a journey through the featured city, all while partnered with bright illustrations highlighting the city's tourist hot spots,” says James. “This series visits cities like New York, Paris, London, and San Francisco, reminding us that our littlest travelers need an accessible travel guide as well.”

Ages: 3 to 8

The Airport Book by Lisa Brown

This book, which shows all the different steps you take when traveling by plane, received high praise from both Blair and Amanda Hua, a children’s librarian at the Seattle Public Library. “For young children, the best travel guides are books that can help set expectations,” says Hua—which makes The Airport Book a great primer for new fliers. 

My Africa Vacation by Ozi Okaro

Another pick from the staff of Eyeseeme, My Africa Vacation follows five-year-old Arinze and his older sister Cheta as they take a family trip to Africa. The book tracks their vacation through 10 African countries, showing iconic sites like Victoria Falls and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as their grandfather’s village in Nigeria.

Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester

“On the surface, Let's Talk About Race appears to be a children's book, but it's so much more," says Rick Griffith of Matter, Denver’s only Black-owned bookstore . “'I'll take off my skin. Will you take off yours?' [It's] beautiful, poignant, full of questions, and open to discovering answers." The book was published in 2005, but remains as relevant and important today as ever.

Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell

Travel doesn’t have to be a long, international journey; sometimes, it simply involves a lovely afternoon spent exploring your own backyard. That’s the premise of Hiking Day , which is endorsed by Jennifer P. Davis, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and contributing author of Macmillan’s Outdoor School series. “This book walks you through [hiking] in a way that will leave you lacing up your shoelaces and raring to go,” she says.

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

We’re big fans of children’s author Jason Chin, as is Lynn Lobash, associate director of reader services at the New York Public Library. “This gorgeous picture book uses die cuts, pen and ink, watercolors, and gouache to depict a father and daughter trip to the Grand Canyon ,” says Lobash. “The text gives information about the plants, animals, and habitats found there. It includes a two-page map and wonderful back matter for curious minds.”

From My Window by Otávio Júnior

Ever wonder what people around the world view from their windows? That’s the premise of Otávio Júnior’s From My Window , a picture book depicting what children from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro see every day. The book comes highly recommended by Kalima DeSuze , activist and founder of the Cafe con Libros bookstore in Brooklyn. If you’re looking to stock up on more books, DeSuze applauds online bookseller Barefoot Books for “encourag[ing] curiosity in young people of different cultures.” 

Girl on a Motorcycle by Amy Novesky

Featured on the NYPL’s Best Books for Kids list for 2020, Girl on a Motorcycle tells the true story of the first woman to ride a motorcycle around the world alone. Louise Lareau, managing librarian at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Children’s Center in New York City, calls it a “great book that highlights the idea of exploring places that are off the beaten path.”

A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India by Meera Sriram

Another pick from DeSuze, A Gift for Amma tells the story of a young girl in India who searches for a gift for her mother in an Indian street market. The picture book was inspired by author Meera Sriram’s experiences growing up in Chennai , and features beautiful, vibrant illustrations. 

This Is… series by Miroslav Sasek

“Picture books are a great way to introduce kids to the cities they will be visiting,” says Jenny Rosenoff, a children’s librarian at the SNFL Children’s Center. This series from Miroslav Sasek showcases different cities around the world, ranging from Paris to Hong Kong—and is proven to have a real impact on youngsters. “A family from one of our Shelf Help bundles asked for NYC books [and we recommended this,]” says Rosenoff. "Then they sent us a photo of their kid by a painting at the Met. They said [the This Is New York book] saved the trip because she was so excited to see something she recognized.”

Lonely Planet's City Trails series by Moira Butterfield

Another great option for learning about cities around the world, Lonely Planet’s City Trails books feature fun cartoon graphics that will teach children of all ages about history and culture. The series was recommended by the staff of both the NYPL and SPL. “[The books] break down the city into bite-sized chunks,” says NYPL’s Rosenoff. “Because who wants to overwhelm a kid with too much text when they’re looking to explore?”

¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third

The sequel to Raúl the Third’s much-lauded ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market , ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat was published in 2020 and is another recommendation from Lobash. “If you enjoyed Richard Scary's Busytown books as a kid, you will love this makeover set in a border town where Little Lobo and his dog Bernabé make deliveries to Mercado de Chauhtémoc la Curiosidad, and Spanish and English words intermingle on the page,” she says. “The art is in a fresh comic style matching the energy of the bustling market.”

A Walk in… series by Salvatore Rubbino

Whether your kids want to explore London, Paris, or New York, these books are sure to fit the bill. “Rubbino’s series covers the landmarks and streetscapes that families usually see when visiting these cities,” says SNFL's Lareau. “With fun artwork, the series portrays parent/child explorations of a new city.”

Ages: 5 to 9

Ty's Travels series by Kelly Starling Lyons

The books in the Ty’s Travels series are great for early readers, and Eyeseeme's Blair particularly loves All Aboard and Zip Zoom , both of which follow the title character as he uses his imagination to go on incredible journeys—most of which can happen just in time for dinner.

Yasmin the Explorer by Saadia Faruqi

Yasmin is an energetic second-grader who loves to use her imagination. When her dad teaches her about explorers and maps, Yasmin decides to make a map of her neighborhood and she brings it along on a trip to the farmers' market. “[It’s the] perfect book for exploring the neighborhood and creating your own map,” says Mai Takahasi, a children’s librarian at SPL.

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

For early readers, you can’t do much better than Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series, another favorite of NYPL’s Lobash. In each book, Jack and Annie go on adventures back in time and all over the world, visiting the Amazon , Ancient Egypt, Kenya , and Yosemite National Park in 1903—just to name a few places.

Ages: 6 to 10

Ana & Andrew series by Christine Platt

Ana and Andrew live in Washington, D.C., with their parents, and go on many adventures both at home and abroad that teach them about Black and African American history and culture. Blair specifically recommends Going to Ghana , which talks about the African slave trade, and Dancing at Carnival , where the siblings learn how their Trinidadian ancestors developed the festive holiday .

The World Between Blinks by Ryan Graudin

Whether books chronicle travel to real places or imaginary (as is the case with The World Between Blinks ), you can usually count on a fun read with lifelong lessons involved. “This fun, fast paced story sets off on Folly Beach , South Carolina, [near Charleston ] but soon the children discover a fantasy world where all lost things go,” says Mary Alice Monroe , author of The Islanders , a middle-grade novel out in June. “Everywhere they turn, real mysteries from history and myths are uncovered—thus fun for children and adults alike.”

My Awesome Japan Adventure by Rebecca Otowa

Books written in diary format are some of the most exciting to read, as evidenced by this tale of an American fifth-grader visiting Japan for four months. “With lots of personality and illustrations, the book covers the food, culture, and history of Japan in a fun way,” says SPL’s Hua.

Same Sun Here by Silas House

This chapter book explores different areas of the U.S., describing them to our would-be travelers, but the story, written from the perspective of two characters, is so much more. Through a school pen pal assignment, the characters meet and find common ground talking about environmental activism, immigration, and racism. This is “a book for our times,” says SPL children’s librarian Betsy Kluck-Keil.

Walking with Ramona: Exploring Beverly Cleary's Portland by Laura O. Foster

Forget Portlandia —this book is the coolest way to learn about Portland , Oregon. “As a child, I devoured Beverly Cleary's books and the antics of Ramona, Beezus, Henry, and Ribsy,” says SPL children's librarian Beatriz Pascual-Wallace. “What a treat now to find this guide! Families who are fans of the books can experience Klickitat Street for themselves with this informative and fun tour guide.”

For all ages

National Geographic Kids Beginner's World Atlas

“For those visual learners who love facts, this could be the ticket to prepping for a big trip,” says SPL’s Kluck-Keil. “These have a little bit of everything around the world to whet your appetite to explore new places.” Kluck-Keil also recommends National Geographic Kids Beginner's U.S. Atlas 2020 for U.S. travelers.

United Tastes of America by Gabrielle Langholtz

"The first thing that comes to my mind when I'm thinking about travel books for kids is United Tastes of America ,” says Kevin Kelley, NYPL’s after school program coordinator and chair of Best Books for Kids 2021. The book is a geographical atlas of region-specific recipes from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three territories. It’s a “fun and unique way to think about different ways we can experience travel using all of our senses,” says Kelley.

Brick City: Global Icons to Make from Lego by Warren Elsmore

Legos and travel? We can’t think of a better combination. Elsmore’s massive book is like a visual dictionary of the world’s landmarks, all made out of Legos. NYPL’s Rosenoff calls it a great way “to introduce famous buildings to children before seeing them.”

Lonely Planet's Not for Parents series

As the title suggests, this Lonely Planet series isn't made up of your average guide books for adults. Instead of tips for where to find the best meals or cups of coffee, these books show where to find Platform 9 ¾ in London for Harry Potter fans and explain why New York taxis are yellow. The books are a favorite of NYPL’s Lobash.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• WALKTHROUGHS
• Cheats & Tips
• Redeem Codes

Where does the picture book and blue towel come from?

Sewing tools and cloth required. Blue towel is clothing level 6.

If you are still looking for help with this game we have more questions and answers for you to check.

Answer this question:

Ask a question for Travel Town

The members with the know how for Travel Town

AppGamer - Mobile Game Guides and News since 2008.

AppGamer.com is owned by Web Media Network Limited , UK company number 3783771.

© 2023 Web Media Network Limited, 86-90 Paul Street, London. EC2A 4NE. United Kingdom.

All rights reserved. No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission.

This site is not affiliated in any way with Google, Apple or any video game publishers.

Display Name

Age -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120

How to Practice Travel Photography at Home

David Wilder  

Scroll through photographer Karthika Gupta ’s Instagram feed and you probably won’t notice anything out of the ordinary at first glance—there’s a photo of a man and a woman rock climbing and another of tourists looking at animals on safari .

But if you slow down and take a closer look, you’ll see that these “travel” photos are actually tiny scenes made using household materials, miniature figurines, and some very clever photography on Gupta’s part.

Gupta, like the rest of us, is spending more time indoors these days. As a travel photographer, it’s not an ideal setup, but Gupta is making the most of it by practicing her craft in new ways. She was inspired to take the clever indoor photos by the #OurGreatIndoors Instagram challenge, created by Los Angeles-based travel photographer and blogger Erin Sullivan .

Thanks to this and other photo challenges making the rounds online, amateur and professional photographers alike are staying active and honing their skills, even while respecting stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.

“At the end of the day, it’s just getting out there and photographing, whether it’s in your backyard or from your balcony or patio,” Gupta said. “Anything to keep your creative juice flowing. It really doesn’t stop you from trying to perfect your art.”

Think you can’t practice your travel photography skills in quarantine? Think again. Even the pros are using this opportunity to stay inspired and work on their form.

“The last couple of days, I’ve been shooting these made-up scenes in my house with props and stuff,” said Stevin Tuchiwsky , an outdoor lifestyle photographer based in Calgary, Alberta. “It’s not the real thing, but it slows it down a bit to where you can understand some concepts better or understand why you might have framed it that way or why you focused on something a certain way.”

We checked in with a few travel, nature, and adventure photographers and asked them to share some useful tips for practicing travel photography at home.

Experiment, Experiment, Experiment

With so much time on your hands, now is the perfect time to experiment and get outside your comfort zone. If you love taking wide landscape shots, practice doing portraits of your family members instead ( if you live alone , practice with a pet or even a stuffed animal). If you typically photograph people you meet during your travels, mix it up and master the art of food photography. 

Even though you’re not taking travel photos, you’ll open yourself up to more diverse shots when you do get back out there. After all, travel encompasses so many things beyond the physical landscape or geography—food, culture, people, art, movement, and more. And no matter the subject, practicing the fundamentals will make you a better photographer overall.

“If all you have ever done is one genre of photography, branch out and learn a new one,” says David Wilder , a photographer based in Calgary, Alberta. “Food photography, product photography, or even fine art. Heck, get some incense, a flashlight and a dark room—now you can do some fine art smoke photography.”

Get to Know Your Camera

How many of us rushed to open the box when our new camera arrived, thumbed through the instruction manual for a few seconds, and simply started clicking? Sure, you can learn a lot about your camera on the go, but there’s no substitute for actually studying how it works and why. 

Take a deep dive into the manual (or watch the thousands of instructional YouTube videos out there) and figure out how to get the most out of all the buttons and settings on your camera. Practice shooting in different modes, then compare the results so you’ll be able to make quicker decisions when you’re on the move.

Now is also a good time to evaluate your travel photography gear and do some research on new technologies or tools for specific scenarios, like taking photos underwater or using a tripod to photograph animals and birds.

Return to the Basics

Even the most skilled photographers welcome an opportunity to revisit the basics—lighting, composition, depth of field, framing, and more. And you can practice these principles whether you have an iPhone or a fancy DSLR camera. The ideas are the same, even though the tools are different. 

In fact, now is the perfect time to practice taking better pictures with your phone camera so that you can spring to action when you’re out in the real world, even if you don’t have another camera with you. 

"It’s not just looking at something and clicking,” said Gupta. “Take your phone and turn on the grid view. Just kind of rotate it around to see different angles, different compositions, and see what catches your fancy. The goal right now is not perfection, but actually more so training your eyes to look at color, light, and composition in an aesthetically pleasing way."

Play With Lighting and Perspective

And while you’re at it, try experimenting a bit more with lighting and perspective, which can help you capture unique images in popular destinations. Getting up at sunset or shooting from the top of a building will come in handy whether you’re camping in a national park or wandering around a big city like Paris . 

Take pictures at different times of the day, or use lamps around your house to create different effects. Master changing the exposure on your iPhone camera quickly so that you can react to dark or fluid lighting situations. “Always pay attention to the light, where it is coming from, the quality of the light, and what it is doing to your subject,” said Wilder.

And be sure to move around. Stand (carefully) on a chair, take some photos looking down from your balcony, or get low to the ground and take pictures of your dog, for example.

“We all see the world from eye level,” said Wilder. “The moment you change up your perspective is when your image stands out from the crowd. My best example is we all look down at pets, but if you get onto the floor with them, everything changes.”

Practice Photographing Small Details

In the same vein as the #OurGreatIndoors challenge, practice photographing small scenes or focusing on one object in a group. This will help you consider new perspectives the next time you’re at a street market or wandering through a botanic garden , for example. You’ll want to capture the entire scene, yes, but you may also want to photograph a particularly colorful piece of fruit or a bee resting on a flower.

“Often, photographers get stuck shooting the same sweeping hero shot every time they go out,” Wilder said. “Small details that really show what it’s like to be in a place are often ignored, so spend some time finding those details and shooting them.”

Enroll in Online classes and Webinars

Now is a great time to level-up your travel photography skills with classes, workshops, and webinars. Tons of photographers are sharing tips and tricks with livestreams on Instagram, Facebook, and elsewhere right now. 

You can also check out sites like CreativeLive , Skillshare , Nikon School Online , Professional Photographers of America, and Sony’s Alpha Universe .

Become a Photo Editing Pro

If you’ve got folders and folders of unedited (and unshared) photos on your hard drive because you just hate editing, now is the time to get over that roadblock. 

Aside from working through your backlog of unedited photos, use this time to become more comfortable with whatever editing software you use. Practice really does make perfect in this case, and it can also make you a faster, more efficient photo editor down the line.

While you’re at it, try editing older photos in different ways, suggests Gupta. You might stumble across a technique or a style you like even better than what you’re used to doing. “Crop them differently, or if it’s black and white, make it color,” she said.

Research Your Next Trip

Although it may feel a bit premature, start thinking about where you want to go when travel becomes safer, and start doing some photo-related research for that destination, too. 

Consider the best time of day or year from a photography perspective for visiting certain locations. Read how other photographers tackle shooting super popular tourist destinations. Look into off-the-beaten path locations that could produce some surprising or interesting pictures.

If you do all the administrative legwork now, you’ll likely get better photos and have more fun on the trip. Plus, research has found that simply anticipating an upcoming vacation can make us happier .

The Best Travel Camera Cases and Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 14 Best Backpack Brands of 2024

15 Outdoor Skills to Master This Year, With Expert Tips and Tricks

Up High & Around the Back: How to Shoot Alternative Views of Famous Architecture

How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

How BeReal's Unfiltered Posts Are Changing the Face of Travel Social Media

The Best 25 Things to Do in Canada

Inside the Northeast's Coolest Ice Castle

13 Brilliant Photo Poses to Try on Your Next Vacation

11 Fun Activities for Hikers

Places to Find the Best Golden Gate Bridge View

Disney World Vacation Hacks Seen on Pinterest

How to Find an Ethical, Authentic Food Tour

10 Reasons to Visit Yellowstone in the Winter

The 5 Best Places to Take Photos of the Brooklyn Bridge

The Best Places to Photograph Neuschwanstein Castle

• How-To Guides

How To Write A Picture Book in 18 Steps

Ever dreamed of writing a picture book? Learn how with this simple guide on how to write a picture book in 18 steps with examples. We’ll cover everything from brainstorming ideas to final publication so you can share your story with young readers. Let’s dive in and start bringing your picture book to life!

Key Characteristics of a Picture Book

Types of picture books, step 1: define your target audience, step 2: brainstorm ideas, step 3: develop your idea, step 4: create memorable characters, step 5: outline your story, step 6: choose a narrative style, step 7: write a 1st draft, step 8: edit and refine, step 9: the book title, step 10: create a dummy book, step 11: format your book, step 12: illustrate your book, step 13: design book cover, step 14: update the dummy book, step 15: seek feedback, step 16: final polish, step 17: publish your book, step 18: celebrate, how do you structure a picture book, how do i write my first picture book, how much money can you make from writing a picture book, is it hard to write a picture book, what is a picture book.

A picture book is a form of children’s literature that combines written text with illustrations, often targeting younger readers up to around 8 years old. Unlike novels or chapter books , picture books rely heavily on illustrations to convey the narrative, making them an essential component of the storytelling process. These books typically feature a relatively simple storyline, accompanied by vibrant and engaging artwork that enhances the reader’s understanding and enjoyment.

Picture books come in various formats and styles, ranging from traditional hardcover editions to board books designed for infants and toddlers. They cover a wide range of themes and topics, from whimsical adventures to educational narratives, aiming to captivate young imaginations and foster a love of reading from an early age.

In addition to entertaining young readers, picture books also play a crucial role in promoting literacy and language development. The combination of text and visuals encourages children to make connections between words and images, aiding in comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Furthermore, the interactive nature of picture books can spark curiosity and creativity, prompting discussions and inspiring imaginative play.

Here are the key characteristics of a picture book:

• Visual Storytelling: Vibrant illustrations, whether painted, drawn, or digitally rendered, play a crucial role in carrying the story forward. They expand upon the text, reveal emotions, and set the scene, igniting the reader’s imagination.
• Sparsity of text: Picture books typically have limited text, using simple, evocative language accessible to young readers. This encourages engagement with the illustrations and fosters imagination.
• Focus on character development: Picture books often introduce young readers to relatable characters who navigate challenges, experience emotions, and learn valuable lessons.
• Genre Versatility: Picture books encompass a wide range of genres, from whimsical fantasy to heart-warming realism, tackling themes of friendship, loss, identity, and more.
• Appeal to a range of ages: While primarily designed for children, picture books can resonate with adults as well, offering deeper layers of meaning and emotional connection.

Whether you’re an aspiring author or simply curious about this captivating literary form, understanding the essence of a picture book is the first step to appreciating its magic and exploring its potential.

Picture books come in various types, each catering to different ages, interests, and reading levels. Understanding these types can help writers and illustrators tailor their creations to suit their target audience effectively. Here are some common types of picture books:

• Board Books: Sturdy and often made of thick cardboard, board books are designed for infants and toddlers. They feature simple, colourful illustrations and minimal text, focusing on basic concepts such as shapes, colours, animals, and everyday routines. Board books are durable and suitable for little hands, making them ideal for introducing babies to the joy of reading.
• Concept Books: Concept books are centred around teaching specific concepts or skills, such as counting, alphabet, opposites, and emotions. They use engaging illustrations and straightforward text to help young readers grasp abstract ideas in a fun and accessible way. Concept books are invaluable tools for early childhood education, laying the foundation for future learning.
• Storybooks: Storybooks form the bulk of picture book literature, featuring narrative-driven stories with engaging characters, plots, and themes. They cover a wide range of genres, including fantasy, adventure, humour, and friendship, catering to diverse interests and tastes. Storybooks typically contain more text than other types of picture books, accompanied by detailed illustrations that bring the story to life.
• Wordless Picture Books: Wordless picture books rely solely on illustrations to tell a story, empty of any written text. They encourage readers to interpret the narrative through visual cues, fostering imagination, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Wordless picture books are particularly beneficial for pre-readers and language learners, allowing them to engage with the story independently and at their own pace.
• Interactive Books: Interactive picture books incorporate elements that encourage reader participation, such as lift-the-flap, touch-and-feel, or pop-up features. These books actively involve children in the reading experience, prompting them to interact with the story in various ways. Interactive books enhance engagement and sensory exploration, making reading a hands-on and enjoyable activity.
• Biographical and Non-Fiction Picture Books: Biographical and non-fiction picture books explore real-life people, events, and topics, providing educational and informative content for young readers. They combine engaging storytelling with factual accuracy, presenting complex subjects in a clear and accessible manner. Biographical and non-fiction picture books inspire curiosity and broaden children’s understanding of the world around them.

By understanding the different types of picture books available, writers and illustrators can create captivating and relevant stories that resonate with their intended audience.

How To Write a Picture Book in 18 Steps 

Follow this 18-step guide to take your picture book from the initial concept to the published masterpiece.

Before diving into the creative process, it’s essential to identify who your picture book is intended for. Understanding your target audience will guide your storytelling decisions, including the themes, language, and visual elements you incorporate into your book.

Let’s say you’re planning to write a picture book about a mischievous kitten’s adventures. Before you start brainstorming ideas, consider who will be reading your book. Are you targeting toddlers who love cute animal stories? Or perhaps preschoolers who enjoy interactive narratives? By defining your target audience as young children between the ages of 2 and 5, you can tailor your story and illustrations to align with their interests and developmental stage.

By defining your target audience upfront, you can ensure that your picture book resonates with the right readers and meets their needs effectively.

Once you’ve defined your target audience, it’s time to let your creativity flow and generate potential concepts for your picture book. Brainstorming allows you to explore different themes, settings, and plotlines, ensuring that you find the perfect idea to bring to life.

Imagine you’ve decided to create a picture book aimed at preschoolers with a focus on teaching empathy and kindness. To brainstorm ideas , grab a notebook and jot down any thoughts or images that come to mind related to these themes. Consider scenarios that young children can relate to, such as sharing toys, comforting a friend, or helping a lost animal.

You might brainstorm ideas like:

• A story about a shy bunny who learns to make friends by sharing her favourite carrot with a new classmate.
• An adventure featuring a group of animal friends who work together to rescue a lost puppy and reunite it with its family.
• A tale about a curious bear cub who discovers the joy of helping others when he finds a lost teddy bear in the woods.

During the brainstorming process, don’t worry about perfection or feasibility. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible, no matter how wild or unconventional they may seem. Once you have a list of potential concepts, you can evaluate them based on their suitability for your target audience and the message you want to convey.

By brainstorming ideas, you’ll uncover creative gems that have the potential to become captivating picture books that resonate with young readers. So grab your notebook and let your imagination soar!

Once you’ve settled on a promising concept for your picture book, it’s time to flesh out your idea and develop it into a coherent storyline. This stage involves expanding on your initial concept, crafting engaging characters, and mapping out the key events that will drive your narrative forward.

Here you can choose one idea from the previous step and form a paragraph idea summary for it. The idea summary should ideally include the following three elements, a hint at the main characters, what they want and why they can’t get what they want. 

For example for the idea of a shy bunny, your idea summary might look something like this:

In a peaceful woodland clearing, there lives a shy bunny named Blossom, whose heart is as tender as the petals of a spring flower. Despite her gentle nature, Blossom longs for the warmth of friendship but struggles to overcome her timid disposition. When a new classmate, a timid squirrel named Hazel, joins the woodland school, Blossom sees an opportunity to extend an olive branch. She yearns to share her most prized possession, a plump, juicy carrot, as a gesture of friendship. However, her insecurities and fear of rejection hold her back, making it challenging for her to take the first step towards forming a connection. As Blossom grapples with her inner turmoil, she must find the courage to reach out to Hazel and discover the transformative power of kindness and generosity.

By developing your idea in this way, you’ll lay the groundwork for a compelling and emotionally resonant story that will captivate young readers and leave a lasting impression.

One of the key elements that bring a picture book to life is its characters. Memorable and relatable characters can capture the hearts of young readers and keep them engaged throughout the story. In this step, focus on developing characters that are unique, multi-dimensional, and well-suited to the theme and tone of your book.

Let’s continue with the example of the shy bunny from our previous step. To create memorable characters, start by brainstorming traits and characteristics that will make your bunny protagonist endearing and relatable to your target audience of preschoolers. Consider aspects such as:

• Personality: Is the bunny timid yet kind-hearted? Does she have any quirks or special talents that set her apart?
• Appearance: What does the bunny look like? Does she have distinctive features or a unique fashion sense?
• Goals and Motivations: What does the bunny hope to achieve throughout the story? What drives her to overcome her shyness and reach out to others?
• Relationships: How does the bunny interact with other characters in the story? Does she have a supportive family or friends who play a significant role in her journey?

For example, you might envision your bunny protagonist as a soft-spoken but compassionate creature with floppy ears and a love for gardening. She dreams of making friends but struggles with self-doubt and anxiety in social situations. However, her love for growing carrots and flowers serves as a source of comfort and confidence, helping her connect with others on a deeper level.

In addition to the main character, don’t forget to create supporting characters that complement and enhance the storyline. These could include friends, family members, or even quirky sidekicks who add humour and depth to the narrative.

By crafting well-developed and relatable characters, you’ll create a strong emotional connection with your readers, ensuring that your picture book leaves a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

With your characters established, it’s time to map out the plot of your picture book. Creating an outline helps you structure your story, ensuring that it flows smoothly from beginning to end and effectively conveys your message or theme to young readers.

Continuing with our example of the shy bunny protagonist, let’s outline the key events and plot points that will drive her journey of overcoming shyness and making friends, along with notes on illustrations to possibly include:

• Introduce the shy bunny protagonist and establish her desire to make friends.
• Illustration: Show the bunny in her garden home, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers, looking wistfully at other animals playing together in the distance.
• The bunny encounters a new animal friend, perhaps a lost squirrel or a curious bird, who wanders into her garden.
• Initially hesitant, the bunny observes the visitor from afar, curious but unsure how to approach them.
• Illustration: Show the bunny peeking out from behind a bush, watching the visitor with wide eyes, while the visitor looks back with a friendly expression.
• Through a series of gentle interactions and shared experiences, the bunny and the visitor gradually bond.
• They discover common interests, such as a love for nature and a fondness for carrots.
• Illustration: Show the bunny and the visitor exploring the garden together, perhaps digging in the soil or nibbling on carrots side by side.
• The friendship faces challenges when the bunny’s new friend must return to their own home or face a difficult situation.
• The bunny must summon the courage to say goodbye or find a way to help her friend, demonstrating her growth and resilience.
• Illustration: Depict a moment of farewell between the bunny and her friend, perhaps with a tearful hug or a solemn exchange of gifts.
• The bunny learns valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and the importance of reaching out to others.
• Though sad to see her friend go, the bunny feels grateful for the connection they shared and looks forward to future adventures with newfound confidence.
• Illustration: Show the bunny standing tall and smiling as she waves goodbye to her friend, surrounded by blooming flowers and a sense of peaceful acceptance.

By outlining your story with notes on illustrations, you’ll ensure that the visual elements of your picture book complement and enhance the narrative, creating a rich and immersive reading experience for young audiences.

The narrative style of your picture book sets the tone and structure of your story, influencing how it will be told and perceived by young readers. Selecting the right narrative style involves considering factors such as the age of your target audience, the complexity of your storyline, and the overall mood you wish to convey.

Let’s continue with our example of the shy bunny protagonist and explore different narrative styles that could suit this story:

• Third-Person: In this narrative style, the story is told from an external perspective, focusing on the thoughts and feelings of the main character, the shy bunny. Using third-person allows for a deeper exploration of the bunny’s internal struggles and growth while maintaining a sense of distance from other characters.
• First-Person: Alternatively, you could opt for a first-person narrative style, where the shy bunny herself narrates the story. This approach provides a direct and intimate connection with the protagonist, allowing readers to experience her emotions and experiences firsthand. First-person narration can be particularly effective for engaging young readers and immersing them in the story’s world.
• Dialogue-Driven: Another option is to structure the story around dialogue between characters, with minimal narration. This dialogue-driven approach creates a dynamic and interactive reading experience, allowing young readers to actively engage with the characters and their interactions. Dialogue can also convey emotions and character dynamics in a natural and engaging manner.
• Narrative Poem: For a more lyrical and poetic narrative style, you could explore writing the story as a narrative poem. Using rhythmic language and vivid imagery, a narrative poem can evoke a sense of magic and wonder, drawing readers into the enchanting world of the shy bunny and her adventures.

When choosing a narrative style for your picture book, consider experimenting with different approaches to see which best suits your story and resonates with your target audience. Ultimately, the goal is to create a narrative that captivates young readers and leaves a lasting impression.

With your ideas, characters, and outline in place, it’s time to start writing the first draft of your picture book. This initial draft serves as the foundation upon which you’ll build and refine your story, so don’t worry about perfection at this stage. The focus is on getting your ideas down on paper and bringing your story to life.

Continuing with our example of the shy bunny protagonist, let’s begin writing the first draft of her story. Using the outline we created earlier as a guide, we’ll flesh out each plot point and scene, keeping in mind the narrative style and tone we’ve chosen.

Once upon a time, in a quiet corner of the forest, there lived a shy bunny named Blossom. She spent her days tending to her garden, surrounded by bright flowers and lush greens. Despite the beauty of her surroundings, Blossom often felt lonely, watching from afar as other animals danced and played together. One sunny morning, as Blossom was tending to her carrots, she noticed a small squirrel peeking out from behind a tree. Curious, Blossom slowly approached the squirrel, offering a friendly smile. To Blossom’s surprise, the squirrel, named Nutmeg, was just as curious about her as she was about him. They talked and talked, mostly about their love for crunchy carrots, and spent the day exploring the garden together. As the sun began to set, Nutmeg said that he was lost and needed to find his way home. Blossom felt a pang of sadness at the thought of saying goodbye, but she knew she had to be brave for her new friend. With a heavy heart, Blossom said goodbye to Nutmeg, promising to keep the memories they had shared. As she watched him disappear into the forest, she felt a sense of warmth and happiness for the friendship they had.

As you write the first draft of your picture book, focus on capturing the essence of your story and characters while allowing room for creativity and spontaneity. Remember, you can always revise and refine your draft in the editing stage, so let your imagination soar as you bring your picture book to life on the page.

Once you’ve completed the first draft of your picture book, it’s time to step back and take a critical look at your work. Editing and refining your manuscript is a crucial part of the writing process, helping you polish your story and ensure that it resonates with your target audience.

Let’s revisit our example from the previous step and explore how we can edit and refine the first draft to enhance its clarity, coherence, and emotional impact.

• Review for Clarity: Read through your manuscript with fresh eyes, paying attention to the clarity of your language and the flow of your narrative. Are there any confusing or ambiguous passages that need clarification? Make revisions to ensure that your story is easy to follow and understand, especially for your young audience.
• Refine Character Development: Evaluate the depth and complexity of your characters, particularly the protagonist, Blossom the shy bunny. Does she undergo a meaningful transformation throughout the story? Are her actions and motivations consistent with her personality and growth arc? Fine-tune your characterisation to create relatable and multi-dimensional characters that young readers can connect with.
• Polish Dialogue and Language: Review the dialogue in your manuscript to ensure that it sounds natural and age-appropriate for your target audience. Aim for dialogue that reflects the unique voices and personalities of your characters while avoiding overly complex language or adult-centric expressions. Additionally, pay attention to the rhythm and pacing of your prose, striving for a balance between descriptive passages and engaging dialogue.
• Streamline Plot and Structure: Evaluate the pacing and structure of your story, paying attention to the balance between exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution. Are there any unnecessary scenes or digressions that could be trimmed to streamline the plot? Look for opportunities to heighten tension and suspense, keeping young readers eagerly turning the pages from start to finish.

By carefully editing and refining your picture book manuscript, you’ll ensure that it shines brightly and captivates young readers with its charm, warmth, and imagination.

Choosing the right title for your picture book is essential as it serves as the first point of connection between your story and potential readers. A compelling title can pique curiosity, convey the theme or mood of your book, and capture the attention of your target audience.

Let’s consider our shy bunny example and explore how we can craft a suitable title that encapsulates the essence of the story:

• Title Option 1: Blossom’s Brave Journey

This title highlights the protagonist, Blossom the shy bunny, and emphasises her journey of overcoming shyness and embarking on an adventure. The word “brave” conveys the courage and resilience Blossom demonstrates throughout the story, while “journey” hints at the transformative nature of her experiences.

• Title Option 2: Carrots and Friendship

Focusing on key elements of the story, this title highlights the themes of friendship and shared experiences. The mention of “carrots” reflects the bond that Blossom and her new friend Nutmeg form over their love for crunchy vegetables, while “friendship” underscores the central theme of forging connections with others.

• Title Option 3: Blossom Finds a Friend

This straightforward title succinctly captures the heartwarming essence of the story: a shy bunny named Blossom who discovers the joy of friendship. The phrase “finds a friend” conveys the journey of connection and companionship that Blossom embarks on, appealing to young readers’ curiosity and empathy.

When choosing a title for your picture book, consider the themes, characters, and tone of your story, as well as the preferences of your target audience. Experiment with different options, and don’t be afraid to seek feedback from friends, family, or writing peers to help you find the perfect title that will enchant and intrigue readers.

Creating a dummy book is an essential step in the picture book writing process, allowing you to visualise and organise the layout of your story. A dummy book is a mock-up of your picture book that includes rough sketches or placeholders for illustrations, text layout, and page design.

Let’s continue with our example and explore how to create a dummy book for this story:

• Gather Materials: Start by gathering materials such as blank paper, pencils, erasers, and a ruler. You’ll use these supplies to sketch out the layout of your dummy book.
• Sketch Thumbnails: Begin by creating thumbnail sketches of each page spread in your picture book. These small, rough drawings will help you visualise the composition and flow of your illustrations. Focus on capturing the key moments and scenes from your story, paying attention to pacing and page turns.
• Design Page Layout: Once you have your thumbnail sketches, use them to plan the layout of each page spread in your dummy book. Consider factors such as text placement, illustration size, and white space. Experiment with different arrangements to find the most visually appealing and reader-friendly layout.
• Add Text and Illustrations: With the page layout in place, add placeholders for text and illustrations to your dummy book. You can use handwritten text or printed text from your manuscript, along with simple sketches or stick figures to represent illustrations. Focus on conveying the narrative flow and visual storytelling of your picture book.
• Assemble the Dummy Book: Arrange your pages in sequence and secure them together to create your dummy book. You can use a binder, paper clips, or string to hold the pages together. Make sure the pages are easy to flip through and that the layout accurately reflects the pacing and structure of your story.
• Review and Revise: Once you’ve assembled your dummy book, review it carefully to identify any areas that need revision or refinement. Pay attention to the overall flow of the story, the balance between text and illustrations, and the coherence of the page layout. Make adjustments as needed to ensure that your dummy book accurately represents your vision for the final picture book.

By creating a dummy book, you’ll gain valuable insights into the visual and structural elements of your picture book, helping you refine your story and prepare it for the next stages of the publishing process.

Formatting your picture book involves arranging the text and illustrations in a way that enhances the reading experience and ensures visual coherence. Paying attention to formatting details such as page size, font choice, and text placement is essential for creating a professional-looking final product.

Let’s continue with our example of “Blossom Finds a Friend” and explore how to format the book for publication:

• Page Size and Layout: Determine the dimensions of your picture book, taking into account industry standards and printing specifications. Common picture book sizes include 8.5 x 8.5 inches or 10 x 10 inches. Choose a size that complements your illustrations and allows for easy readability.
• Text Placement: Decide on the placement of text within each page spread. Aim for a balance between text and illustrations, ensuring that the two elements complement each other and work together to tell the story. Experiment with different text arrangements, such as placing text above, below, or alongside illustrations, to find the most visually appealing layout.
• Font Choice and Styling: Select a suitable font for the text in your picture book, keeping in mind readability and aesthetic considerations. Choose a clear, legible font that aligns with the tone and style of your story. Consider factors such as font size, style (e.g., serif or sans-serif), and colour to enhance readability and visual appeal.
• Page Numbers and Pagination: Determine how you will handle page numbering and pagination in your picture book. Decide whether to include page numbers, and if so, where to place them within the layout. Considerations such as page breaks, chapter divisions, and endpapers should also be taken into account to ensure a seamless reading experience.
• Illustration Placement: Integrate illustrations seamlessly into the layout of your picture book, ensuring that they enhance the storytelling and capture the reader’s attention. Pay attention to the positioning and size of illustrations relative to the text, allowing for ample space and visual impact.
• Consistency and Cohesion: Maintain consistency throughout your picture book by adhering to a cohesive design aesthetic. Ensure that fonts, colours, and formatting elements remain consistent across all pages, creating a unified look and feel. Pay attention to details such as margins, line spacing, and alignment to achieve a polished and professional appearance.

By carefully formatting your picture book, you’ll create a visually engaging and cohesive reading experience that captivates young readers and brings your story to life.

Illustrations play a vital role in bringing your picture book to life, capturing the imagination of young readers and enhancing the storytelling experience. Whether you’re an illustrator yourself or collaborating with a professional artist, creating compelling and engaging illustrations is essential for captivating your audience.

There are several technical considerations to keep in mind when illustrating a picture book:

• Visualising Characters: Work with your illustrator to develop visually appealing and expressive character designs that reflect the personalities and emotions of your characters. For example, the shy bunny protagonist, Blossom, could be depicted with soft, rounded features and wide, expressive eyes to convey her gentle nature and timid disposition.
• Promoting Engagement: Incorporate interactive and engaging elements into your illustrations to capture the attention and imagination of young readers. For example, hidden details, interactive flaps, or playful visual motifs can encourage children to actively engage with the story and explore the illustrations more deeply.
• Page Size and Bleed: Ensure that your illustrations are sized appropriately for the dimensions of the book’s pages. Additionally, if your illustrations extend to the edge of the page (full bleed), you’ll need to include extra space around the edges to accommodate trimming during printing.
• Resolution: Illustrations should be created at a high resolution (usually 300 dpi or higher) to ensure crisp and clear printing. This is especially important for detailed artwork and images with fine lines or small details.
• Colour Mode: Use the appropriate colour mode for your illustrations. For print books, illustrations are typically created in CMYK colour mode to accurately represent colours when printed. If your illustrations are intended for digital distribution, RGB colour mode may be more suitable.
• File Format: Save your illustrations in a suitable file format for printing, such as TIFF or PSD for high-resolution images with layers, or JPEG for flattened images. Be sure to check the publisher’s specifications for preferred file formats.
• Text Placement: Leave space within your illustrations for text placement, especially if your illustrations include background elements or focal points where text will be overlaid. Consider how the text will interact with the illustrations and ensure that important visual elements are not obscured.
• Consistency: Maintain consistency in style, colour palette, and artistic elements throughout your illustrations to create a cohesive visual experience. This helps tie the illustrations together and reinforces the story’s themes and mood.
• Page Turns: Keep in mind the pacing and flow of the story when planning your illustrations. Consider how each page turn will reveal new information or advance the plot, and create illustrations that enhance the narrative tension and engagement.
• Accessibility: Ensure that your illustrations are accessible to all readers, including those with visual impairments. Avoid relying solely on visual cues to convey important information, and consider including descriptive text or alternative formats (e.g., braille) where appropriate.

By investing time and effort into creating captivating illustrations, you’ll create a visually stunning picture book that delights and inspires young readers, inviting them to embark on an enchanting journey of imagination and discovery.

The book cover is often the first thing readers see, making it a crucial element in attracting attention and conveying the essence of your picture book. A well-designed cover should intrigue readers, reflect the tone of your story, and entice them to pick up your book.

Let’s continue with our example of  “Blossom Finds a Friend”  and explore how to design an eye-catching cover for this picture book:

• Example: The title “Blossom Finds a Friend” is written in bold, playful lettering, with the author’s name, “Jane Doe”, placed below in a smaller font. Both elements stand out against a background of lush garden foliage, drawing the reader’s attention.
• Example: The cover features a charming illustration of Blossom the shy bunny peeking out from behind a bush, her eyes wide with curiosity as she gazes at the reader. In the background, colourful flowers and friendly woodland creatures add depth and visual interest to the scene.
• Example: The cover incorporates a bright and cheerful colour palette, with shades of green, pink, and blue dominating the background. These colours evoke the beauty and tranquillity of a garden setting, while also conveying a sense of joy and optimism.
• Example: The spine of the book displays the title and author name vertically, making it easy to identify when shelved alongside other books. The back cover includes a brief summary of the story, along with a small illustration of Blossom and her friends exploring the garden.

By carefully designing the book cover, you’ll create a captivating first impression that entices readers to pick up your picture book and embark on an enchanting journey with your characters.

Once you have completed the illustration process and made any necessary adjustments based on feedback, it’s time to update your dummy book to reflect the final layout and design of your picture book. This step ensures that the dummy book accurately represents the finished product before moving forward with publication.

Continuing with our example of “Blossom Finds a Friend” let’s explore how to update the dummy book with the final illustrations and design elements:

• Example: In the first dummy book, placeholder sketches were used to represent each page spread. Now, the final illustrations of Blossom the shy bunny and her garden adventures are added to the appropriate pages, bringing the story to life with vibrant colours and engaging details.
• Example: The text is carefully integrated into each page spread, with attention to text placement, font choice, and spacing. Captions and dialogue bubbles are added where appropriate, enhancing the storytelling and guiding the reader through the narrative.
• Example: The updated dummy book PDF is reviewed to ensure that the illustrations and text flow smoothly from one page to the next, capturing the reader’s attention and maintaining their interest throughout the story. Any inconsistencies or discrepancies are addressed to achieve a polished and professional final product.

By updating the dummy book with the final illustrations and design elements, you’ll have a clear representation of how your picture book will look and feel in its printed form. This step is crucial for ensuring that the final product meets your vision and expectations before proceeding to the next stage of publication.

Seeking feedback from others is a crucial step in the picture book writing process. Feedback helps you identify strengths and weaknesses in your story, gain new perspectives, and refine your manuscript to ensure it resonates with your target audience.

Continuing with our example of “Blossom Finds a Friend” let’s explore how seeking feedback can improve the quality of your picture book:

• Example: You provide copies of your picture book to a group of parents and their children for feedback. After reading the story together, the parents comment on the relatable themes and positive messages, while the children express excitement about the colourful illustrations and engaging characters.
• Example: You share your book with fellow writers in a picture book writing workshop. During a critique session, your peers offer suggestions for strengthening character motivations and tightening the pacing of the story. Their feedback helps you identify areas for improvement and revision.
• Example: You work with a children’s book editor who provides detailed feedback on your manuscript, including suggestions for enhancing dialogue, clarifying story arcs, and refining the emotional resonance of the narrative. Their expertise and insights help you elevate the quality of your picture book to industry standards.
• Example: You post a query about your picture book on an online writing forum for children’s authors. Within hours, you receive valuable feedback from writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals who offer insights into character development, plot pacing, and marketability.

By seeking feedback from a variety of sources, you’ll gain valuable insights into your picture book manuscript and identify opportunities for improvement. Embrace feedback as a valuable tool for honing your craft and creating a picture book that resonates with readers of all ages.

During the final polish stage, you’ll meticulously review and fine-tune every aspect of your picture book to ensure it’s polished, professional, and ready for publication. This step involves a comprehensive examination of the manuscript, illustrations, design elements, and overall presentation.

Let’s continue with our example of “Blossom Finds a Friend” and explore how to apply the final polish to your picture book:

• Example: You carefully review the book “Blossom Finds a Friend” paying close attention to sentence structure, word choice, and dialogue. You eliminate any redundant phrases, tighten up the prose, and ensure that the language is accessible and age-appropriate for your target audience.
• Example: You scrutinise the illustrations of Blossom and her garden adventures, checking for consistency in character design, background details, and artistic style. You adjust colours, refine linework, and add subtle details to enhance visual interest and reinforce the story’s themes.
• Example: You review the layout of “Blossom Finds a Friend” checking for alignment, spacing, and font consistency. You adjust page breaks, text formatting, and illustration placement to create a cohesive and visually appealing presentation that complements the narrative.
• Example: You enlist the assistance of a professional proofreader to review the final draft of “Blossom Finds a Friend”. Together, you meticulously comb through every page, checking for spelling errors, formatting inconsistencies, and layout issues. After thorough proofreading and quality assurance, you’re confident that the picture book is polished and ready for publication.

By applying the final polish to your picture book, you’ll ensure that it meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Take the time to review and refine every aspect of your book, leaving no detail overlooked. Your dedication to excellence will shine through in the finished product, delighting readers of all ages.

After months of hard work and dedication, it’s time to bring your picture book to life by publishing it and sharing it with the world. Publishing your book involves making decisions about printing, distribution, and marketing to ensure that it reaches your target audience and achieves success.

Let’s continue with our example of “Blossom Finds a Friend” and explore the process of publishing your picture book:

• Example: You opt for self-publishing “Blossom Finds a Friend” to maintain creative control and have the flexibility to bring your vision to life without the constraints of traditional publishing timelines.
• Example: You partner with a reputable printing company that specialises in children’s books and offers high-quality printing services at affordable rates. You collaborate closely with the printing team to ensure that the final product meets your expectations and aligns with your vision for the book.
• Example: You establish distribution channels for “Blossom Finds a Friend” by listing it for sale on major online platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores. You also partner with local libraries and schools to make the book available to young readers in your community.
• Example: You launch a comprehensive marketing campaign for “Blossom Finds a Friend” including social media posts, blog tours, and virtual author events. You collaborate with influencers, parenting bloggers, and children’s book reviewers to generate excitement and positive word-of-mouth buzz about the book.

By publishing your picture book, you’ll share your creativity and storytelling with the world, bringing joy and inspiration to young readers everywhere. Embrace the journey of publication with enthusiasm and confidence, knowing that your hard work and dedication have led to this exciting milestone.

Looking for some additional resources on how to write a picture book? See the books below for more guidance and ideas (The links below are Amazon affiliate links):

• How to Write a Children’s Picture Book and Get it Published :

• Writing Picture Books: : A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication

Celebrating the completion of your picture book is an essential part of the creative process. It’s a moment to acknowledge your hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments as a writer and creator. Take time to revel in your success and commemorate the journey that led to the publication of your book.

Let’s continue with our example of “Blossom Finds a Friend” and explore ways to celebrate the completion of your picture book:

• Example: You host a book launch party for “Blossom Finds a Friend” at a local bookstore or community centre. You decorate the venue with colourful garden-themed decorations and provide snacks and drinks for guests to enjoy. You read excerpts from the book, sign copies for attendees, and mingle with readers to share your excitement.
• Example: You announce the release of “Blossom Finds a Friend” on your social media accounts, accompanied by eye-catching graphics and behind-the-scenes photos from the book’s creation process. You express heartfelt thanks to your followers, friends, and collaborators for their encouragement and support.
• Example: You treat yourself to a weekend getaway to a tranquil countryside retreat, where you can unwind, recharge, and reflect on your creative journey. Surrounded by nature and serenity, you savour the moment and revel in the sense of accomplishment that comes from bringing your picture book to life.
• Example: You journal about your experiences writing and publishing “Blossom Finds a Friend” capturing memories, insights, and reflections on the journey. You express gratitude for the opportunity to share your story with the world and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling.

By celebrating the completion of your picture book, you honour the effort and dedication you invested in bringing your vision to life. Embrace this moment of triumph and look forward to the exciting adventures that lie ahead as an author and creator.

Frequently Asked Questions

While there’s no one-size-fits-all structure for picture books, several common formats offer a solid foundation for your storytelling. Here are a few popular approaches:

• Beginning: Introduce your characters, setting, and the initial problem or challenge.
• Middle: Show your characters’ attempts to solve the problem, facing obstacles and setbacks along the way.
• End: Resolve the conflict or challenge, leaving the reader with a satisfying conclusion and takeaway.
• Introduce: Present the character, their world, and the problem they encounter.
• Attempts: Show the character’s multiple attempts to solve the problem, emphasizing their resilience and growth.
• Solution: Reveal the successful solution, showcasing the character’s learning and development.
• Departure: Show the character leaving their familiar setting or comfort zone.
• Challenges: Depict the obstacles and trials they face on their journey, highlighting their struggles and growth.
• Return: Showcase the character’s return, transformed by their experiences and carrying valuable lessons.
• Introduce: Present the initial element or situation.
• Additions: Gradually add new elements or characters, building on the previous ones.
• Resolution: Conclude with a satisfying payoff or twist that ties everything together.

These are just starting points. Feel free to adapt, combine, or invent your own structure based on your unique story and target audience.

Writing your first picture book can be an exciting and rewarding journey! Here are some steps to help you get started:

• Define Your Story Idea: Begin by brainstorming ideas for your picture book. Think about what themes or messages you want to explore, as well as the characters and setting you’d like to create.
• Develop Your Characters: Create memorable characters that will capture the imaginations of young readers. Consider their personalities, motivations, and arcs throughout the story.
• Outline Your Story: Once you have a clear idea of your characters and plot, outline the main events of your story. Determine the beginning, middle, and end, and identify key moments that will drive the narrative forward.
• Choose a Narrative Style: Decide on the narrative style that best suits your story. Picture books often use simple language and concise storytelling to engage young readers.
• Write the First Draft: Start writing your first draft, focusing on capturing the essence of your story and characters. Don’t worry too much about perfection at this stage—just get your ideas down on paper.
• Edit and Revise: Once you’ve completed your first draft, take time to revise and refine your manuscript. Pay attention to pacing, language, and clarity, and make any necessary changes to strengthen the story.
• Consider Illustrations: Picture books are a visual medium, so consider how your story will be enhanced by illustrations. You can either create your own illustrations or work with an illustrator to bring your story to life.
• Design Your Book: Think about the layout and design of your book, including the placement of text and illustrations on each page. Consider how the design will enhance the reading experience for young children.
• Seek Feedback: Once you have a polished draft of your picture book, seek feedback from trusted friends, family, or writing groups. Their input can help you identify areas for improvement and make your story even stronger.
• Finalize and Publish: After incorporating feedback and making final revisions, you’re ready to finalize your picture book and consider publishing options. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, be sure to research your options and find the best fit for your book.

Remember, writing a picture book is a creative process, so don’t be afraid to experiment, take risks, and have fun along the way. With dedication and perseverance, you can bring your story to life and share it with young readers around the world.

The amount of money you can make from writing a picture book can vary widely depending on several factors, including the success of your book, your publishing arrangement, and your marketing efforts. Here are some potential sources of income from writing a picture book:

• Advance : If you’re traditionally published, you may receive an advance payment from your publisher. This advance is typically paid out in stages, such as upon signing the contract, upon delivery of the manuscript, and upon publication. Advances can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on factors such as your publishing track record and the perceived marketability of your book.
• Royalties : In addition to an advance, authors typically earn royalties on sales of their books. Royalty rates vary depending on your contract and the format of the book (e.g., hardcover, paperback, e-book). Traditionally published authors typically earn royalties ranging from 5% to 15% of the book’s retail price. Self-published authors may earn higher royalty rates but are responsible for all production and marketing costs.
• Additional Rights Sales: Authors may also earn income from additional rights sales, such as foreign translation rights, audio rights, and merchandising rights. These rights can be licensed to other publishers or companies for a fee or a percentage of sales.
• Public Performance Rights: Authors may earn income from public performance rights if their book is adapted into other formats, such as a stage play, puppet show, or animated film. Public performance rights allow for the public performance or display of copyrighted works and can result in licensing fees or royalties.
• Author Visits and Speaking Engagements: Authors may supplement their income by conducting author visits and speaking engagements at schools, libraries, bookstores, and literary events. These appearances can generate additional income through honorariums, book sales, and merchandise sales.
• Merchandise Sales: Authors may also earn income from the sale of merchandise related to their book, such as T-shirts, posters, bookmarks, and other branded items. These sales can be conducted online or through book signings and events.

It’s important to note that while some picture book authors achieve significant financial success, many authors earn modest incomes from their writing. Success in the publishing industry often requires a combination of talent, persistence, and luck, as well as a willingness to adapt to changes in the market and industry trends. Additionally, income from writing can vary from year to year based on factors such as book sales, advances, and additional rights sales.

Writing a picture book can present its own set of challenges, but whether it’s “hard” can depend on various factors, including your familiarity with the genre, your writing experience, and your ability to craft a compelling story within the constraints of the format. Here are some factors to consider:

• Simplicity : Picture books are typically short, with limited word counts, so you must convey your story concisely and effectively. This can be challenging as you need to convey complex themes or ideas in a simple and accessible way.
• Visual Narrative: Picture books are a collaboration between words and illustrations, so you need to leave room for the illustrations to complement and enhance the text. Balancing text and visuals can be challenging, especially if you’re not an illustrator yourself.
• Audience Considerations: Picture books are primarily written for young children, so you need to understand your target audience and craft a story that engages and entertains them. This might require thinking about themes, language, and story structure from a child’s perspective.
• Story Structure: Even though picture books are short, they still require a well-developed plot, engaging characters, and a satisfying resolution. Crafting a compelling story within a limited space can be challenging and may require careful planning and revision.
• Market Competition: The market for picture books is highly competitive, with many talented authors vying for limited shelf space. Standing out in the crowded market can be challenging, especially for new and aspiring authors.

That being said, many writers find writing picture books to be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Picture books have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain young readers, and seeing your book come to life can be incredibly gratifying. With dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and grow as a writer, you can overcome the challenges and write a picture book that captivates readers of all ages.

Embarking on the journey of writing a picture book is an adventure filled with creativity, imagination, and endless possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a novice storyteller, the process of bringing your vision to life on the pages of a picture book is both challenging and immensely rewarding. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your own picture book journey and create stories that captivate and inspire young readers. 

And that wraps up our 18-step guide to writing your first picture book! I hope these tips help you bring your imaginative story to life for young readers. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions on how to write a picture book – I’d love to hear from you!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

Related Posts

Comments loading...

Fast Shipping + 1 Tree Planted

Best Sellers

Custom Maps

Last Minute Gifts

Valentines Day

Always Free Personalization

Fast Turnaround 1-2 Days

Swift Delivery

No waiting games. Enjoy fast turnaround and shipping!

Eco-friendly Shopping

Every order plants a tree. Shop green, shop today!

Exceptional Quality

Premium materials for lasting memories. Experience superior quality today!

Your cart is empty

Cart updated ( )

Tips and Ideas to Create the Perfect Travel Photo Book

Whenever you travel, you make amazing memories. From the food you try to the sights you see and the people you meet, you won't want to forget a single second of it. Travel photo books are the perfect way to document all those amazing and unique experiences you have when traveling.

What Are Photo Books?

Photo books are like photo albums, but they're much easier to make. With photo books, you take the pictures from your phone's gallery or social media and print them directly onto the pages. From there, you can change the photo order, add and remove images, add captions, and more to create the perfect keepsake.

People make photo books to celebrate many different events and occasions, including graduations, birthdays, the holidays, and anniversaries. They also make great gifts for your loved ones.

Why a Travel Book?

Photo books are the perfect way to save special memories. From the pictures we take with our friends and family to our favorite photos of our pets, these keepsakes ensure we never lose a single moment.

With this logic, it only makes sense to make a travel book. The memories we make on our travels are unlike any other. Rather than endlessly scrolling through social media to find the dozens of pictures you've taken, photo books offer a way to capture and keep all your best travel moments in one place. Every flick of a page will take you back to that unforgettable trip.

Most photo book sites let you add text, change the order of the images, and more to create a beautiful adventure book you can proudly display on your bookshelf or coffee table .

Travel Photo Book Ideas and Tips

Looking for travel book inspiration? Our tips and ideas are sure to help you make the travel book of your dreams.

Stick to One Destination Per Book

If you're an avid traveler, the memories of each trip you take may blur together, especially if you tend to backpack or visit multiple destinations at a time. Sticking to one destination per book will help you organize your photos and memories into categories, so you never miss a single one.

For example, if you took a trip around Europe, theme each book on a single country you visited. Fill the pages with images from Switzerland only, and then make a separate one for France. In the end, you'll have a whole plethora of books filled with adventures.

Plan out your Photo Book in Advance

This tip may add time to the process, but it will help ensure you get the custom photo book of your dreams. Decide whether you want to organize your photos in chronological order or if you want to leave your favorite photos for the end of the book.

For example, carefully select the images you want and plan out the details you'd like to include in each caption. 

Some sites will offer different backgrounds, fonts, and more. Experiment with page layout options and photo order, and you may find some creative ideas to house your most precious memories.

Take the Time to Edit your Photos

Whether you're saving vacation photos, pictures from a weekend getaway, or snaps you took during your favorite road trips, you can make a travel book you're truly proud of with a few photo edits. Even if photography isn't your strong suit, or if you're a total beginner, you can still learn a few tips.

If you've taken all your photos on your phone, we have a few mobile phone editing tips that will make them stand out and help create a professional-looking book you can be proud of.

Create a Food Travel Book

One of the best things about traveling is the food. Whether you're crossing the ocean or just going up the road, you're bound to find a million new, fun places to eat and new foods to try. No travel book is complete without the occasional food snap, but what about a book dedicated solely to food? If you like to cook yourself, you'll have endless pages of inspiration for meals to try out! 

This is one of the best travel photo books for a foodie.

Group Certain Photos Together

From meals out to days spent soaking up the sun on the beach, and those afternoons sightseeing, grouping your photos by the events will help you create a consistent book. If you're traveling with your loved ones, group photos of your friends and family together.

You don't just have to group in terms of events, days, and people - why not create a timeline of your trip, from start to finish? Timeline photo books are great if you have many adventures to talk about; you can ensure you won't miss a single story.

Different photo book sights will offer different layouts, so you can easily find a beautiful and creative way to group your travel photos together.

Add in a Map of Where you Were

Contrary to popular belief, you don't just have to add in your own travel photos. Instead, spice up your travel photo book with other fun inserts, such as a map of where you were. If you don't have one to hand, a quick Google or Pinterest search will bring up a range of different options. This way, you'll always be able to see which part of the world you were in.

A map would also make a great cover photo for your travel photo book!

Use Captions to Tell a Story

Our adventures are usually full of fun and interesting stories, whether passed on from the people we meet or the memories we make on our own. Put your photos in chronological order and use the captions to tell a story. If you're not a wordsmith, don't worry! It doesn't have to be an essay; just a few details will be enough to set the scene.

If you tend to take a travel journal with you, a story photo book is a fun theme to try - you'll already have all the right words to say! This way, you'll never forget a detail.

Some photo book sites (such as Printed Memories) will automatically upload dates from your social media and drop them in the photo book. So if you're not sure what happened when but have been avidly uploading to social media, you're good to go.

Spend Time on the Cover Photo

This tip is as important as all the others above (perhaps even the most important.) The cover of your photo book deserves some thought; it reflects the photo book in its entirety. 

As mentioned above, you could find a map of the world and make that the cover of your travel photo book. Maybe you want a cover photo highlighting a special memory you made on your trip or the amazing people you met. Whatever cover picture you decide on, it should be something you love looking at - an image you're proud to show off.

Honorable Mentions

Are you looking for even more inspiration? Here are a few more travel book ideas for your consideration.

A family and friends photo book: Sometimes great adventures have everything to do with the people you make memories with. Capture all your loved ones in a fun travel album dedicated especially to them.

An Instagram travel book: If you have an Instagram account dedicated to your travels, why leave those pretty pictures on the screen? Print your images in a photo book. Most book builders (such as Printed Memories) offer instant uploads from your social media.

A road trip book: This is a great theme if you're forever taking road trips across the country. Capture street signs, scenery, and more to create a book filled with every adventure from the road.

A photo book dedicated to your kids: If you travel with your children, this fun theme will ensure you never miss a memory with them. And anyone who has children will know that traveling with them is an adventure in itself.

Your favorite places: If you're an avid traveler, chances are, you've been to a lot of different places. Why not create an album that's filled with every single location you've visited? It'll be a book you'll love to browse through.

A yearly vacation album: If you tend to take a trip every calendar year, why not save your adventures in a vacation album? Fill the pages with your favorite images, whether you're relaxing by the pool or seeing the sites.

Printed Memories Photo Books

Printed Memories photo books are super fun and easy to make. Now you have your theme in mind, things just got a whole lot easier! Add pages, change the photo order, and pull in captions from social media. And, with a book that builds itself, do it all in five minutes.

Not only that, Printed Memories plants one tree for every single book they print. So not only are you saving your travel memories - you're helping to save the planet, too!

Click here to build your Printed Memories photo book.

Creating the perfect travel photo book doesn't have to be a headache. You could organize and edit pictures straight from your phone. Our themes, tips, and ideas above are sure to make the process easier. And why just make one book? When you start creating, you'll find it's hard to stop.

Advertisement

How the Key Bridge Collapsed in Baltimore: Maps and Photos

By Weiyi Cai ,  Agnes Chang ,  Lauren Leatherby ,  Lazaro Gamio ,  Leanne Abraham and Scott Reinhard

On Tuesday, a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the water seconds after it was struck by a cargo ship, sending vehicles on the bridge into the river below. The ship lost power and issued a mayday call shortly before it hit the bridge.

The ship, a 948-foot-long cargo vessel called Dali, was about a half hour into its journey toward Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it hit a main pillar of the bridge. All crew members are safe, according to the ship’s owners.

Follow our live coverage .

A mayday call from the ship gave officials enough time to stop traffic at both ends of the bridge. The waters where the bridge collapsed are about 50 feet deep. By Tuesday morning, six construction workers who had been fixing potholes on the bridge remained missing as divers and other emergency workers on boats and helicopters continued to search for them. Two others had been rescued, and one was in the hospital.

Francis Scott

Patapsco River

The ship left the Port

of Baltimore around

1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Where impact occurred

Direction of the ship

The ship hit the

bridge at 1:28 a.m.

The ship hit the bridge at 1:28 a.m.

Where impact

Source: Spire Global

The New York Times; satellite image by Google Earth

The lights of the ship flickered on and off as it lost power in the minutes before the ship changed bearing and hit the bridge.

Ship approached from

the Port of Baltimore

Road repair crews

Ship changed heading

as it neared pillar

Ship hit pillar

Southern and central spans

of bridge began to collapse within

seconds of impact

Northern span began to

collapse seconds later

Within 30 seconds of impact,

the central part of bridge had

entirely collapsed.

Source: StreamTime Live via YouTube

Timestamps are from StreamTime Live video.

The New York Times

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was opened in 1977 and carried more than 12.4 million vehicles last year. The bridge was one of the three major ways to cross the Patapsco River and formed part of Baltimore’s beltway.

The Port of Baltimore is a major trade hub that handled a record amount of foreign cargo last year. It is an especially important destination — the nation’s largest by volume last year — for deliveries of cars and light trucks.

Ship impact

To Chesapeake Bay

Sources: Maryland Port Administration, OpenStreetMap, MarineTraffic

Note: Ship positions are as of 2:46 p.m. Eastern time.

Overall, Baltimore was the 17th biggest port in the United States in 2021, ranked by total tons, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The bridge collapse brought marine traffic there to a standstill, with seven cargo or tanker ships stranded in the harbor as of Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency for Maryland and said that his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary. The White House issued a statement saying that President Biden had been briefed on the collapse.

Erin Schaff/The New York Times

• Share full article

Watch CBS News

Maps and video show site of Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore

By Paula Cohen , Kerry Breen

Updated on: March 27, 2024 / 6:14 PM EDT / CBS News

A major search and rescue operation has now transitioned to a recovery mission at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck by a cargo ship and collapsed early Tuesday , sending vehicles and people plunging into the water below. The U.S. Coast Guard said the ship had reported losing propulsion and control as it was leaving Baltimore harbor, before the collision occurred at around 1:30 a.m. ET. 

Two survivors were pulled from the water soon after the collapse, officials said — one unhurt and one with serious injuries, who was treated at a hospital and later released, CBS Baltimore reported . 

Six were missing and presumed dead. Officials said the bodies of two victims were recovered Wednesday.

Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said all six were construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge at the time.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, with city, state and federal teams converging at the scene. 

Map of the Key Bridge in Baltimore

The Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River, a key waterway that along with the Port of Baltimore serves as a hub for East Coast shipping. CBS News Baltimore reports that the four-lane, 1.6-mile span was used by some 31,000 people a day.

The Maryland Transportation Authority  said  all lanes were closed in both directions on I-695, which crosses the Key Bridge. The agency said traffic was being detoured to I-95 and I-895. 

The portion of the bridge that collapsed was on a stretch connecting Hawkins Point, on the south side of the waterway, and Dundalk, on the north. 

Video of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore

Video captured the moment the heavily loaded container ship struck a bridge support, sending sections of the overpass tumbling into the river below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBS News (@cbsnews)

Officials said in a news conference that the ship had reported losing power and a mayday had been issued before the collision, which allowed officials to stop traffic onto the bridge. Officials did not clarify how many vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. 

Moore said he "can confirm that the crew notified authorities of a power issue," and he said that the decision to stop traffic onto the bridge "saved lives last night." 

Earlier Tuesday morning, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called the collapse "an unthinkable tragedy."

"We have to first and foremost pray for all of those who are impacted, those families, pray for our first responders and thank them," he said. "We have to be thinking about the families and people impacted. We have to try to find them safe."

What was the ship's route?

The Singapore-flagged Dali, operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, was chartered by and carrying cargo for Maersk. It had left the Port of Baltimore, just north and west of the bridge, before turning to head south and east along the Patapsco River. 

The ship had been in the port for two days, according to ship tracking website  VesselFinder , and was expected to spend nearly a month at sea before it reached Colombo, Sri Lanka.

CBS News analyzed the path of every cargo ship taking this route over the past month and found Dali had veered more than 100 yards off the usual route when it struck the bridge support.

Timeline of the disaster

Click the arrow below to see an interactive timeline of how the collision occurred.

Before-and-after photos of the Francis Scott Key Bridge 

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge opened to traffic on March 23, 1977, and was a crucial thoroughfare for the region, carrying some 11.3 million vehicles per year. 

The photos below show how it looked following the collapse Tuesday morning, and how it looked intact just a few days earlier.

A witness who lives near the bridge  told CBS Baltimore  the collapse felt like an earthquake and sounded like "a big bash of thunder."

"The whole house vibrated, like my house was falling down," he said. "I've been in this neighborhood 57 years, I remembered when they built this bridge. Can't believe it's gone."

Another resident reflected on being on the bridge just yesterday. "To see the bridge gone knowing I was on that bridge not even 10 hours ago — it's devastating."

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Bridge Collapse
• Patapsco River

Paula Cohen is the senior managing editor of CBSNews.com, where she oversees coverage of breaking news and stories on a wide range of topics from across the U.S. and around the world.

More from CBS News

Transcript: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on "Face the Nation," March 31, 2024

Tourist dies, U.S. Marine missing in 2 incidents off Puerto Rico

What is meningococcal disease? Symptoms to know as CDC warns of spike

Pope Francis says "peace is never made with weapons" at Easter Sunday mass

• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Gone With The Family

Adventures in Family Travel

60+ Books To Inspire a Love of Travel and Adventure in Kids

At Home , Book Reviews / November 3, 2020 by Lisa Goodmurphy / Leave a Comment

As a lifelong avid reader, I have always believed that books are a great way to inspire travel and curiosity about the world – especially for kids. We have selected this list of more than 50 of the best fiction and non-fiction travel books for kids to inspire a love of travel and adventure in kids of all ages and teach them about the world.

We have included travel-themed books for toddlers, kids and teens as well as fiction set in interesting places, reference books, travel guides and activity books that are great gift choices at Christmas or any time of the year.

Updated December 2023

You Might Also Enjoy Reading

21 Festive New Christmas Books To Enjoy This Holiday Season (2023)

27 of the Best Movies About Family Vacations

25 Tips for International Travel with Kids

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to  Amazon.com  and affiliated sites.   As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

Looking for the best travel books for toddlers? These board books for babies and toddlers are ideal for anyone who wishes to introduce the youngest kids to travel.

1. Hello World series by Ashley Evanson

This delightful series of board books for babies and toddlers pairs early learning concepts with illustrations from cities around the world. The 10 book series includes: Paris: A Book of Shapes ; New York: A Book of Colours ; San Francisco: A Book of Numbers ; London: A Book of Opposites ; Tokyo: A Book of Senses ; Rio de Janeiro: A Book of Sounds ; Los Angeles: A Book of Time ; Rome: A Book of Days ; Germany: A Book of Opposites and USA: A Book of Beginner Concepts .

BUY ON AMAZON

2. My Little Cities series by Jennifer Adams

Another sweet series of board books showcasing cities such as London, Paris, New York and San Francisco with baby-appropriate text and charming illustrations.

Picture Books for Children

This selection of picture books for children introduce kids to cities and countries around the world. They are particularly good choices if you want travel books for kids to get yours excited about an upcoming trip.

3. Travel the World Around You! by Christopher Mitchell

In this delightful new picture book by award-winning travel writer, Christopher Mitchell, kids join Theo and his adorable sidekick, Kotu, as they learn about what it really means to travel. As Theo tries to collect all the stamps he needs for his travel passport, he learns the important lesson that travel isn’t about where you go but how you go and with the right attitude there are opportunities to travel even in your own town, city, state or province.

4. Construction Site: Taking Flight by Sherri Duskey Rinker

In the latest addition to the bestselling Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series, the Construction Site crew head to a bustling airport to work on an expansion. Toddlers will love the new vehicles that help the original crew fuel the planes, maintain the runways, clear away snow, and build a big new airport wing so that everyone can get where they are going. A great choice for reading prior to a first flight!

5. This Is series by Miroslav Sasek

Czech artist and illustrator, Miroslav Sasek, published the first picture book in his delightful This Is series in 1958. Many have been reissued in recent years and a new generation of children and parents can now enjoy the series of books about many of the world’s great cities and countries. Our favourites include This is London , This is Paris and This is New York .

6. Katie in London by James Mayhew

This delightful picture book was a favourite of both of my daughters when they were young. Katie and her brother visit London with their Grandma and are taken on a wonderful sightseeing tour around the city by a talking lion that they meet in Trafalgar Square.

Read our guide on London with Kids

7. KeeKee’s Big Adventures series by Shannon Jones

A wonderful picture book series about an adventurous calico cat named KeeKee who travels the world in a hot-air balloon is one of the best new series of children’s books about travel. Thus far, KeeKee’s adventures have taken her to London, Amsterdam, Athens, Paris, and Rome.

Read our Review of KeeKee’s Big Adventures in Paris, France

8. Molly and the Magic Suitcase series by Chris Oler

Molly and her brother Michael are curious about the world. Inspired by food, family, and friends, they trek to faraway places using a magic suitcase. Over the course of their adventures, they learn about language, culture, cuisine, and make new friends. Molly’s magic suitcase has taken her around the world to Barcelona, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Copenhagen, Peru, Thailand, Shanghai, and Puerto Rico.

9. Eloise in Paris by Kay Thompson

Children will love discovering Paris along with Eloise, resident of The Plaza Hotel in New York City, as she visits familiar Parisian sights from the Arc de Triomphe to the Seine to the Champs Élysées to outdoor cafés.

Read our guide on Paris with Kids

10. Adventures of Bella & Harry series by Lisa Manzione

The Adventures of Bella & Harry is a picture book series that chronicles the escapades of a pup named Bella, her little brother Harry and their family, who travel the world exploring the sights and sounds of new, exciting cities including London, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Florence, Dublin and many more!

Read our Review of Bella & Harry Children’s Books

11. A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens

A picture book about a young boy who hops around the globe, visiting friends in thirteen different countries spanning all six populated continents. This informational picture book brings engaging nonfiction content to younger readers by showing them how other children live around the world.

12. The Kids Who Travel the World series by Lisa Webb

A picture book series about two adventurous sisters as they travel the world and learn new things visiting destinations such as Paris, Rome, London and more.

13. A Race Around the World by Caroline Starr Rose

A picture book telling the true story of Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, reporters for two New York newspapers, who competed against each other in 1889 in a race to circumnavigate the globe in record time.

14. Let’s Explore with Cor Cor by Cory Lee and Sandy Gilbreath

Cory Lee (founder of the award-winning accessible travel blog  Curb Free with Cory Lee ) collaborated with his mom, co-author Sandy Gilbreath, to create this picture book to show that the possibilities for all children are limitless, regardless of their abilities. 

Cor Cor’s readers learn about places around the world, as he explores exciting destinations from his wheelchair. Whether admiring the northern lights in Iceland or meeting kangaroos in Australia, no adventure is off-limits. 

15. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

This classic about 12 little girls that lived in an old house in Paris that was covered with vines was a favourite of both of my daughters – and me too! The award-winning book about an endearing little girl and whimsical drawings of Paris is still popular more than 75 years after it was first written.

16. Dodsworth series by Tim Egan

This popular picture book series by Tim Egan features Dodsworth and a misbehaving duck on adventures in cities around the world – New York City, Paris, London, Rome and Tokyo.

Early Readers and Chapter Books

These kids books about travel are perfect for older kids that are learning to read or reading on their own.

17. The Berenstain Bears Around the World by Mike Berenstain

From the plains of Africa to the Great Wall of China, there are more sights to see than points on a map! Beginning readers will love discovering fantastic new places alongside their favorite family of bears, complete with vivid and classic illustrations.

18. Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

When Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house filled with books, they never dream that it will take them on exciting adventures around the world and throughout history! Jack and Annie have traveled to so many amazing places that it is easy to spark the interest of young readers with their adventures in this award-winning series.

The original series of chapter books for early readers has 28 titles and the follow-up more challenging Merlin Missions series has 27. There are also companion non-fiction Fact Tracker books providing facts behind the fiction with Jack and Annie.

19. Thea Stilton series

Kids that like graphic novels and comic books will enjoy the Thea Stilton series. Thea is the younger sister of the title character in the best-selling Geronimo Stilton series of books for kids ages 6-12. Thea’s adventures take her round-the-world to places such as New York City, Paris, Japan, Alaska, Scotland, and the Netherlands just to name a few.

20. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

A series of books about Percy Jackson, a troubled boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon, and his adventures with demigods, monsters, and Greek gods.

We read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief prior to our Mediterranean cruise to Italy, Greece and Turkey . Reading the novel made sightseeing much more interesting for my younger daughter who was 8 years old at the time and sparked a years-long interest in Greek and Roman mythology. (She’s now in university and taking some courses in Classics and getting a more in-depth education on mythology!)

Read Percy Jackson and Our European Trip

21. The 39 Clues series

The 39 Clues is a series of adventure books written by a collaboration of authors about orphaned siblings Amy and Dan Cahill who discover upon the death of their grandmother that they are part of a family that has shaped world history. Their quest to find the clues that will lead to the source of the family’s power takes them on a round-the-world treasure hunt. 

22. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

In this winner of the Newbery Medal, suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and elegant – the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.

23. The Long Haul (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) by Jeff Kinney

A family road trip is supposed to be a lot of fun . . . unless, of course, you’re the Heffleys. The journey starts off full of promise, then quickly takes several wrong turns. But even the worst road trip can turn into an adventure – and this is one the Heffleys won’t soon forget.

24. Heidi by Johanna Spyri

The classic story of a little orphan girl growing up with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps.

25. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This timeless Canadian classic by Lucy Maud Montgomery, written in 1908, remains one of Canada’s best-known books more than 100 years later. I first read  Anne of Green Gables  when I was 11 or 12 years old and dreamed of someday visiting the land where the spunky redheaded orphan’s adventures took place. When I finally visited, “Anne’s Land” lived up to all of my expectations and we returned again and again! I guarantee that it’s impossible to read this novel and not want to plan a visit to Prince Edward Island!

Read The Ultimate Guide to Prince Edward Island for Fans of Anne of Green Gables

26. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

This popular classic by Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren, is another that I loved as a child and introduced to both of my daughters. We read it before visiting Junibacken in Stockholm , the Astrid Lindgren museum where we were able to play at Pippi’s house Villa Villekulla.

27. American Girl books

We loved the American Girl series of books when both of my daughters were younger. The historical series of books transports kids to numerous different times and places in American history and the contemporary books are stories about girls living today across the United States. American Girl has such an extensive and growing collection of books that you will have no difficulty finding the perfect book for the young girl in your life.

28. A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel

American Girl’s popular series of advice and activity books for girls also has a volume focused on travel to show girls how to be confident and happy travellers. Filled with fun quizzes, smart safety tips, and cool trivia, this book will help girls get ready for a lifetime of adventure!

Young Adult Books for Teens

YA novels that take place in interesting destinations are a great way to inspire a love of travel in teens.

29. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

16 year-old Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy and a summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany following in her mother’s footsteps.

Welch followed up the bestselling Love & Gelato with Love & Luck about a road trip through Ireland filled with love, adventure, and the true meaning behind the word family and Love & Olives about a teen girl finding romance while trying to connect with her absent father in beautiful Santorini, Greece.

30. Wanderlost by Jen Malone

In this romantic YA novel, Aubree is talked into taking over her older sister’s summer job leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe. Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.

31. Mosquitoland by David Arnold

After the sudden collapse of her family, Mim Malone is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi, where she lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before the dust has a chance to settle, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland.

So she ditches her new life and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real home and her real mother, meeting a quirky cast of fellow travelers along the way. But when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.

32. The Fountains of Silence by Ruth Sepetys

Bestselling author, Ruth Sepetys, writes compelling historical fiction with teenagers as the main characters. This one is set in Madrid, Spain in 1957 under the fascist dictatorship of General Franco. Eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an American oil tycoon, arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother’s birth through the lens of his camera. Photography – and fate – introduce him to Ana, whose family’s interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War.

33. Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas

Aspiring chef Isa’s family life has fallen apart after the death of her Cuban abuela and the divorce of her parents. And after moving in with her dad and her new stepmom in Lyon, France, Isa feels like an outsider in her father’s new life.

Her father’s house is located only 30 minutes away from the restaurant of world-famous Chef Pascal Grattard, who runs a prestigiously competitive international kitchen apprenticeship. The prize job at Chef Grattard’s renowned restaurant also represents a transformative opportunity for Isa who is desperate to get her life back in order – and desperate to prove she has what it takes to work in an haute kitchen.

34. Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

A YA romance about a young American ballerina who meets a charming French boy while spending the summer in Paris to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Mia’s summer was supposed to be about ballet – but there’s a reason Paris is called the City of Love…

35. Out of the Easy by Ruth Sepetys

Another historical novel by Sepetys – this one about a teenage girl living in New Orleans. It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

36. My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong

Crazy Rich Asians  meets  Love & Gelato  in this hilarious, quirky novel about a Chinese-American teen who is thrust into the decadent world of Beijing high society when she is sent away to spend the summer in China.

37. Diary of a Tokyo Teen by Christine Mari Inzer

Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and an American father in 1997, Christine Mari Inzer spent her early years in Japan and relocated to the United States in 2003. The summer before she turned sixteen, she returned to Tokyo, making a solo journey to get reacquainted with her birthplace. Through illustrations, photos, and musings, Inzer documented her journey.

38. Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite

Although this is a YA novel, I have read it and loved the main character, Alaine, the daughter of Haitian immigrants and a sassy, ambitious, intelligent teen. On an extended visit to Haiti, Alaine learns about the culture and history of her parent’s homeland while also working on her relationship with her mother who hasn’t always been present for her. The novel introduces the reader to a Haiti that is beautiful and proud in contrast to how we often see the country portrayed in the news media.

39. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

A teen romance about a girl from Atlanta whose father sends her to boarding school in France for her senior year. Anna is less than thrilled until she meets Étienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He’s taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home.

40. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

A girl with it all planned out discovers a romance she never expected on a class trip to London. Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number and Jason, her personal nemesis, promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

41. The Summer of Us by Cecilia Vinesse

American expat Aubrey has only two weeks left in Europe before she leaves for college, and she’s nowhere near ready. Good thing she and her best friend, Rae, have planned one last group trip across the continent. From Paris to Prague, they’re going to explore famous museums, sip champagne in fancy restaurants, and eat as many croissants as possible with their friends Clara, Jonah, and Gabe.

42. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Lily left a red notebook full of challenges on her favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. Dash, in a bad mood during the holidays, happens to be the first guy to pick up the notebook and rise to its challenges. What follows is a whirlwind romance as Dash and Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City.

43. Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West

Norah hasn’t seen her childhood best friend, Skyler, for several years so she can’t wait for the joint RV road trip that their families have planned for the summer. She’s disappointed at first because Skyler acts like he would rather be anywhere else but their relationship starts to change as they spend the summer driving across the country and it’s possible their friendship could lead to something more. A sweet young adult romance!

44. Now a Major Motion Picture by Cory McCarthy

Iris is an aspiring musician who is the granddaughter of a famous author of a book series hailed as the feminist response to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings . A major motion picture adaptation of her grandmother’s books is in the works and Irish and her brother are invited to the set in Ireland where Iris is charmed by the rugged beauty of the Irish countryside and the film’s charming lead actor.

Read our recommendations on 12 Fun Things To Do in Ireland with Teens and Tweens

Reference Books and Travel Guides

A few excellent choices if you’re looking for non-fiction travel books for kids and teens.

45. Everything & Everywhere: A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters by Marc Martin

A beautifully illustrated, fact-filled adventure book that will take curious kids on a lush and unexpected journey around the globe to discover what makes each place unique. Features facts about 15 places and cultures for a great introduction to the world.

46. The 50 States by Gabrielle Balkan

Discover more than 2,000 facts that celebrate the people, cities, nature, and historic events that have helped make America what it is today with these 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps that explore every state of the USA and the nation’s capital. Includes an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents.

47. National Geographic Student World Atlas 6th Edition

From the cartographic experts at National Geographic comes the latest edition of its award-winning student atlas, with everything kids want and need to know about our changing world.

Dynamic, user-friendly content includes photos, facts, charts, graphics, and full-color political, physical, and thematic maps on important topics. Completely updated maps and statistics ensure that kids have all the latest information as they learn more about current events and become global citizens.

48. National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas 2nd Edition by Crispin Boyer

Road trips will be even more fun for the kids with colorful maps, 22 new games, fun facts, photos, and activities that fill the updated and expanded  National Geographic Kids Ultimate US Road Trip Atlas .

49. Lonely Planet Lift-the-Flap Atlas by Kate Baker

This interactive atlas treats young readers to a hands-on journey around the world. Each page turn brings the continent to life with flaps to lift, detailed illustrations and facts about, people, animals, and fun places to visit.

50. Lonely Planet Amazing World Atlas 2nd edition by Alexa Ward

Embark on a journey to every continent in the world to meet its Indigenous people, learn about its culture and customs, and understand how it came to be the place it is today.

Explore the globe using continental and regional maps and read about the landscape and population of every independent country on the planet. Plus mind-blowing facts, fascinating history, and captivating culture help you become an expert on our world.

51. Lonely Planet Kids Our Extreme Earth by Anne Rooney

Explore amazing environments around the world and discover how life survives there. Journey to unbelievable habitats on every continent, and discover how people and animals have adapted to live in such extreme environments from the hottest, driest deserts to freezing cold glaciers, remote islands, the wettest rainforests and much more.

52. Lonely Planet Kids The Travel Book 2nd edition

Take a world tour through 200 countries with this bestselling kids’ version of Lonely Planet’s popular  The Travel Book,  loaded with thousands of amazing facts on wildlife, how people live, sports, hideous and mouthwatering food, festivals and a wide range of other quirky insights on every page.

Every single country gets its own dedicated page, and a mix of photography and beautiful illustrations brings each land to life. Perfect for keeping explorers aged 8 years and up entertained on the road.

53. Lonely Planet Kids America’s National Parks by Alexa Ward

Are you ready to explore America’s 60 amazing national parks? This excellent resource from Lonely Planet Kids includes  awesome facts, photos and illustrations on every page. You’ll discover erupting geysers, exploding volcanoes, howling wolves, soaring eagles, mountains, glaciers, rainforests and more throughout the continental USA, Hawaii, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands.

54. Lonely Planet Kids Around the World in 50 Ways

Kids will love exploring the world with this choose-your-own travel adventure. Set off from London, travel across the globe and then try to make your way back again choosing the route and modes of transportation, from bicycles and sleds, to steamboats and hot-air balloons. Visit well-known cities and far-flung destinations along the way and learn facts about each place to create a fun-filled voyage of discovery. Just make your decisions wisely because not every path will take you to where you want to go!

55. Lonely Planet City Trails

This excellent series of guidebooks designed for kids is perfect for kids whose families are planning trips or for kids who just want to learn more about the cities. Each guide book includes a series of themed trails that will introduce kids to the best of each city. Destinations include: Barcelona, Singapore, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris and Washington, DC.

Travel Activity Books

A few travel activity book options that will keep the kids busy on planes, trains and in automobiles!

56. The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids by Rob Taylor

The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids  is packed with journaling prompts and activities so that no memory goes unwritten. Inside these travel activities for kids, 6-9-year-olds will find guided prompts to record hopes for their trip, highlights, new discoveries and more. Plus, this journal includes ultra-fun travel activities for kids likes fill-in the blanks and crosswords for endless entertainment.

57. Lonely Planet Kids Create Your Own Travel Journal

Make your vacation memories last a lifetime with this awesome fill-in children’s travel journal that’s packed with brilliant activities and prompts to inspire kids to write and draw their adventures. This handy pocket-sized hardcover book with elastic band is a great way to preserve travel memories and includes games, drawing challenges and prompts for stories to encourage children to observe and admire their surroundings.

58. Travel Games Activity Book by Lidia Lins

A fun activity book for kids ages 8-12 with a variety of games to enjoy during their travels including classic travel games such as Connect 4, Tic Tac Toe, City-Country-River or “Would you rather” to creative tasks such as tricky puzzles, Travel-ABC, Word Chain, coloring and hilarious jokes.

59. Lonely Planet The Travel Activity Book

Explore over 70 countries and cultures around the world in this globetrotting activity and sticker book. With over 250 stickers and a mix of colorful illustrations and photos,  The Travel Activity Book   is your ticket to learning all you want to know about tropical rainforests, bustling cities, soaring mountains, wild animals, diverse people and cultures, and more.

60. Lonely Planet Kids Backyard Explorer

The best adventures start at home! Scribble, jot and draw in this brilliant fill-in journal, brought to you by Lonely Planet Kids.  Backyard Explorer  is filled with fun things to make, do and find, to discover the exciting world beyond kids’ front door! They can go cloud-spotting, make a skyline collage, design a dream house, complete a scavenger hunt, and much more. Kids will see their surroundings in a wonderful new way!

61. The Everything Kids Travel Activity Book

Packed full of puzzles, activities, quizzes, and games, this book provides hours of nonstop fun that can be done alone or shared with other kids.

62. America the Beautiful to Color by Zoe Ingram

America the Beautiful to Color  features gorgeous designs of the sights and scenes for an epic American road trip. Perfect for armchair travelers and experienced explorers alike,  America the Beautiful to Color  is 96 pages, and in a big 10×10 format. The black-and-white interior is printed on heavy paper stock, good for colored pencils and most markers. A great colouring book for kids or adults!

63. Where’s Waldo? The Totally Essential Travel Collection by Martin Handford

This collection should keep the kids busy for the duration of your trip! Waldo seekers on their own voyages will be raring to go with this compact compilation featuring all seven of his renowned excursions: Where’s Waldo? ; Where’s Waldo Now? ; Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey ; Where’s Waldo? The Wonder Book ; Where’s Waldo? In Hollywood ; Where’s Waldo? The Great Picture Hunt! ; and Where’s Waldo? The Incredible Paper Chase .

You Might Also Like

15 Travel Inspired Books for Your Fall Reading List

15 Books to Read This Winter – A Travel Inspired Reading List

18 Ways To Give Experiences Instead of Things This Christmas

Pin This For Later

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Four suspects in Moscow concert hall terror attack appear in court

Footage of gunmen reinforces Islamic State’s claim to have masterminded worst terror attack on Russia in two decades

Four suspects have appeared in court in Moscow charged over the terrorist attack on the Crocus City concert hall on Friday that left 137 people dead.

The men were officially identified as citizens of Tajikistan, the Tass state news agency said, and were remanded in custody for two months at Sunday’s hearing.

The court released a video showing police officers bringing one of the suspects into the courtroom in handcuffs, as well as photographs of the same man sitting in a glass cage for defendants. One of the suspects was led blindfolded into the courtroom. When his blindfold was removed, a black eye was visible. Another suspect was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair.

The men, identified as Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Dalerdzhon Barotovich Mirzoyev, Shamsidin Fariduni and Muhammadsobir Fayzov, face charges of a “terror attack committed by a group of individuals resulting in a person’s death”, according to the Tass news agency. All four pleaded guilty.

Earlier on Sunday, Islamic State had released new footage of the attack, corroborating the terror group’s claim to have masterminded the slaughter even as Russia has sought to place the blame on Ukraine, which Kyiv denies.

The incident near Moscow is the deadliest IS-claimed assault on European soil and the deadliest attack by any group in Russia since the 2004 Beslan siege.

The footage, published by IS’s news agency Amaq, showed gunmen filming themselves as they hunted victims in the lobby of the hall and fired from point-blank range, killing scores of people. At one point, one gunmen tells another to “kill them and have no mercy”.

Vladimir Putin said 11 people had been detained, including the four gunmen. Russia’s investigative committee released a video earlier yesterday showing the suspects being led, blindfolded, into its headquarters.

Russia observed a nationwide day of mourning on Sunday for the worst terror attack on the country’s soil in two decades, as the official number of wounded rose to 154. Russian authorities have said they expect the death toll to rise with at least one dozen victims still in critical condition.

Thousands of people brought flowers and other tributes to the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, as local emergency workers say they are still continuing to search for anyone who may be left wounded or dead inside the severely damaged entertainment complex.

Putin has not yet visited the site of the shooting. The Kremlin published footage showing the president lighting a candle at a church at his residence outside Moscow on Sunday evening to honour those who died.

Foreign embassies in Moscow have also voiced their solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack. Flags were lowered to half-mast at the embassies of the US, the UK and the Netherlands amid high tensions over the war in Ukraine .

The Russian leader also claimed, without evidence, that Ukraine had “prepared a window” for the terrorists to cross the border from Russia into Ukraine. Kyiv has vociferously denied any links to the attack and has indicated that it believes Moscow is preparing a pretext to escalate the conflict.

The US has said it received intelligence that the terror group acted alone. “Isis bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever,” the national security council spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, said in a statement.

Russian officials and state media have largely ignored IS’s claims to be behind the attacks. Meduza, an independent Russian-language website, has reported that Russian state-funded and pro-government media had been instructed by the Putin administration to emphasise possible “traces” of Ukrainian involvement in the attack, according to two state media employees.

Olga Skabeyeva, a prominent state television host, claimed on Telegram that Ukrainian military intelligence had recruited assailants “who would look like Isis. But this is no Isis”.

Putin did not name the Islamist terror group during his public statements on the attack, while directly accusing the “Ukrainian side” of involvement. IS also released a photograph of the purported gunmen before the attack. Researchers have noted that their clothing matches that worn by some of the attackers.

On Sunday, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, disregarded the US intelligence reports that IS was behind the attacks. “I wish they could have solved the assassination of their own President Kennedy so quickly,” she wrote on Telegram. “But no, for more than 60 years they have not been able to find out who killed him after all. Or maybe that was Isis too?”

“Until the investigation into the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall is completed, any phrase from Washington exonerating Kyiv should be considered as evidence,” she added. “After all, the financing of terrorist activities of the Kyiv organised criminal group by the American liberal democrats and participation in the corrupt schemes of the Biden family have been going on for many years.”

Fresh details have emerged of how the gunmen stormed the concert hall and began firing into crowds of people, then set fire to the building and fled the scene, leading to a fevered manhunt for the terrorists. The Russian investigative committee said those killed in the concert hall died of gunshot wounds and “poisoning” related to the fire.

The gunmen appear to have planned the attack carefully, setting fires by an emergency stairwell in order to herd people toward a killing zone in the middle of the lobby.

The men were caught in the southern Bryansk region, where authorities said they disabled their vehicle, and then apprehended several of the suspects as they fled into a nearby forest. New videos have been published showing Russian security forces interrogating the men, at least one of whom spoke Tajik during an interrogation. Tajikistan’s foreign ministry initially denied that the suspects were citizens of the country.

In a phone call on Sunday, Putin and the Tajikistan leader, Emomali Rahmon, “noted that security services and relevant agencies of Russia and Tajikistan are working closely in countering terrorism, and this work will be intensified”.

Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has previously been reported to have recruited radicalised nationals from central Asia, including Tajikistan.

Some of the videos of the interrogations suggest that the men were tortured by Russian security services. One of the clips, circulated by Russian bloggers, appears to show members of the security forces cutting off the ear of a man who is later interrogated over the attack and then stuffing it into his mouth. Another appears to show security forces beating a suspect with their rifle butts and kicking him as he lies in the snow.

Russian independent media noted that the officer who apparently cut off the ear of the suspect was wearing patches that indicated his support for neo-Nazi groups and appeared to have contact with the far-right Rusich paramilitary group, which is active in Ukraine. The patches included a black sun and a symbol resembling the Totenkopf – or death’s head – worn by several Nazi divisions.

Experts have described Friday’s attack as a failure of the country’s sprawling security services, which have been distracted by the war in Ukraine and a relentless crackdown on political opposition at home.

“The FSB obviously had their priorities wrong. They had their main resources on Ukraine and on the domestic opposition,” said Mark Galeotti, an expert on the Russian security services.

“What is striking is the catastrophic incompetence of our security services,” Ivan Zhdanov, the former head of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation, told AFP.

Andrei Soldatov, a leading Russian researcher, wrote that the FSB had become “very efficient and innovative at repression … But these are not the qualities that help to prevent attacks happening, and time and again the FSB has failed as an intelligence collection agency because other things are needed: information-sharing capabilities between agencies, both domestic and foreign, and trust between those agencies and within those agencies.”

Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt said that the UK should “absolutely” be concerned about the threat that IS poses to the country after the terror attack in Moscow.

“We are very lucky in this country that we have incredibly impressive intelligence agencies, who have been successful in stopping, in foiling a lot of terrorist threats over recent years,” the British chancellor told Sky News.

“But we have to remain vigilant. And if it is Islamic State, they are utterly indiscriminate in what they do. They’re prepared to murder in the most horrific way.”

• Moscow concert hall attack
• Islamic State
• Vladimir Putin

More on this story

Moscow concert attack: fear death toll higher after reports of up to 100 missing

Russia demands extradition of Ukraine security chief and others for ‘terrorism’

Russia-Ukraine war: ‘Our spirit does not give up,’ Zelenskiy says in Easter message; Russia hits Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – as it happened

‘I noticed nothing strange’: suspect’s colleagues express shock at Moscow attack

Russia lauding torture was unthinkable – now it is proud to do so

At least two people killed in Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy network

Putin says radical Islamists carried out Moscow attack but maintains suggestion of Ukraine role

Europe must get ready for looming war, Donald Tusk warns

Putin’s lethally negligent failure can’t be covered up. The Moscow attack leaves him weaker than ever

Ukraine war briefing: Russian fighter jet crashes off Crimea

Most viewed.